Marina Runs NYC 2026 Marathon

My name is Marina, and I be running the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon in support of the Korey Stringer Institute (KSI) out of University of Connecticut.

I’m so stinkin excited to keep going on this journey and to be able to support research at the same time. I’ve been running for a few years now, but something I’ve really been working through lately is learning (and honestly, re-learning) how to actually take care of my body. Fluids and calories aren’t just something I think about anymore—they’re fuel. They’re part of the process. They matter.

That’s a big reason why KSI’s mission hits home for me. Their work around heat safety, hydration, injury prevention, and strength and conditioning isn’t just “science”—it’s exactly what I’ve been figuring out in real time through training. It’s the difference between feeling good on a run and completely crashing. It’s the reason I can keep showing up and putting in the miles.

When I really think about what I’m asking my body to do—especially training for a marathon—it gives me a whole new level of respect for the work KSI is doing. This research doesn’t just apply to elite athletes. It matters for anyone pushing themselves physically, whether that’s on the field, on the job, or in service.

Running this marathon is a huge personal goal for me, but getting to do it while supporting something that directly connects to my own journey makes it even more meaningful.