Achilles Athletes With Disabilities Have Record Turnout at TCS New York City Marathon
Over 550 Achilles athletes, volunteer guides and charity entrants conquered the concrete jungle on November 3 as they raced the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon.
Athletes from 32 chapters across the globe descended on the Big Apple to race the 26.2-mile course, embodying the true spirit of perseverance and unity. This turnout not only showcased the strength of the Achilles community, but also highlighted the growing impact of athletes with disabilities on the world of competitive running.
The excitement began Friday at the annual New York City Marathon Celebration Dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square. The evening honored Achilles chapters, military veterans, Achilles Kids and top fundraisers.
In preparation for the big day, Achilles NYC hosted a shake out run welcoming charity runners and teammates from chapters around the world.
The Cigna Group, presenting sponsor of the Achilles Freedom Team, hosted a pre-race lunch for Achilles military veterans at the Westin Hotel in Times Square. Navy SEAL Lieutenant Commander Rorke Denver shared his personal story with the group and a message of resilience before taking on the race.
Achilles was joined on race day by a number of celebrities who served as guides in the marathon and raised awareness of our mission. Nev Schulman, host of MTV's ‘Catfish,’ guided Achilles NYC Director Francesco Magisano for their third race together and first since his bike accident.
HOKA ambassador and running influencer Sage Canaday also ran as a guide for Achilles Team USA athlete Ryan McGuire from Illinois and helped him secure a new personal best in his first TCS New York City Marathon finish.
We thank our 103 Team Achilles charity runners who fundraised over $573,000 dollars to help support athletes with disabilities.
Congratulations to the entire Achilles community on a job well done, from the first handcyclist to the final finisher.
