Alongside more than 61,500 athletes, a team of 25 runners gathered on the morning of November 1, 2026, in Staten Island to start the TCS New York City Marathon. By the end of the day, all of them had not only completed the 26.2-mile course but raised a record-breaking $135,000 to support Catholic Charities of New York’s work to solve the most critical problems of New Yorkers in need.
The warmer-than-average weather provided a layer of challenge to what’s already known as a “deceptively tough” course. But with the same passion they brought to fundraising, Team Catholic Charities conquered the challenge.
“The New York City Marathon brings out the best of New Yorkers, and it is incredibly meaningful to be able to support our neighbors in need while participating in this celebration of humanity,” said Anabella Maria Galang, a member of the Catholic Charities of New York Junior Board. 2026 was her first marathon.
Sisters Jordan and Taylor Girard both ran for Team Catholic Charities this year. “Running the Marathon together with Catholic Charities is incredibly meaningful to us,” they said, “as it allows us to combine our love of running with our shared commitment to our faith and serving others. We’re proud to run for a cause that provides help, creates hope, and supports New Yorkers in need with compassion and dignity. We look forward to spreading hope with every mile we run.”
The team also included people of the cloth. Seminarian Jonathan Pham of St. Joseph’s School in Bronxville contributed notable fundraising efforts leading up to his first New York City Marathon.
“Catholic Charities exemplifies the Gospel message where ‘Whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do for me,’” said Pham. “As a Catholic seminarian for the Archdiocese of New York, I run a marathon carrying the prayers and thoughts of those who support the mission.”
Father Seán Connolly, a priest from Riverdale’s Parish of St. Margaret of Cortona – St. Gabriel, delivered a homily at the “Marathon Mass” at St. Patrick’s Cathedral the night before running his first NYC Marathon for Team Catholic Charities. “As a priest of our local Church here in New York, I want to answer the call of Christ our Lord: ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me,’ (Matthew 25:40),” he said.
“This marathon is an opportunity to answer that call and invite others to join me in making a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need,” Father Connolly added. “I will offer each of the 26 miles I run as a prayer, especially in thanksgiving for all who generously support Catholic Charities.”
Catholic Charities of New York’s CEO J. Antonio Fernández expressed his gratitude to the second Team Catholic Charities to run the marathon since he started leading the organization.
“On behalf of everyone at Catholic Charities, I want to congratulation our 2026 Team Catholic Charities members on this tremendous accomplishment and thank them all for choosing to run in support of our mission,” said Fernández. “Your fundraising efforts will help thousands of New Yorkers in need and will provide necessary Thanksgiving meals for many families in our community.”
The record-breaking sum raised by Team Catholic Charities this year will go to the organization’s work meeting the most pressing needs of New York’s most vulnerable, including hunger and food insecurity, homelessness, challenges facing at-risk children and families, unemployment, and illness and disability.
Catholic Charities of New York extends its heartfelt thanks to the entire 2026 TCS New York City Marathon Team: Amelia Viator, Anabella Maria Galang, Barbara Fitzgerald, Cate Sawkins, Francis J Walsh, Jonathan Pham, Jordan Girard, Karl Groskaufmanis, Kelly Coyle, Kiera Price, Kristine Nunez, Lawrence Eberst, Lillian McKenna, Lily Droesch, Mark Rionda, Mary Brusco, Mary Kate Cunningham, Matthew Babich, Matthew Tully, Michael Paranac, Neven McBay, Peter J DeTolla, Robert G Gebhart, Seán M Connolly, Taylor Girard.
Interested in running for 2027? Contact alexandra.mahoney@catholiccharitiesny.org.
