Nearly 500 Achilles Community Members Celebrate the Journey to the Start Line at the NYC Marathon

Nearly 500 Achilles athletes, charity runners and volunteer guides from across the globe raced the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon on November 5. 

Athletes were treated to an Achilles Welcome Celebration dinner on Friday night at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square, where chapters and charity runners were honored with Achilles Spirit Awards. Achilles CEO Emily Glasser celebrated each of their individual journeys to the start line. 

"In the midst of endless responsibilities with family and work, societal crises and tragedies, personal challenges, the list goes on and on, you chose to run, walk and roll," Emily remarked. "Each one of you made that choice for your own personal 'whys.' At Achilles we are honored and grateful that you chose to run, walk and roll together with us. Our world is a brighter and more inclusive place with every push and step you take. The first step to the finish line begins with the decision to start. I congratulate you on your start line."

Achilles branded marquee outside of the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square NYC

Group shot of members of Achilles Mexico in front of an Achilles branded step and repeat

Achilles athlete and guide posing together in front of the Achilles branded step and repeat

Kieron Ragoonath excepting his award next to Emily Glasser

Emily Glasser speaking during the awards presentation

Group shot of Achilles staff, with top fundraiser Kelsey Byrne

Ken Higgins of the Achilles Freedom Team accepting his award next to Emily Glasser and Janet Patton, Achilles Vice President of Event Production and Expansion

Achilles Mexico member smiling with their award

Group shot of Achilles athletes in front of the Achilles branded step and repeat

Before the big day, Achilles NYC hosted a shakeout run on Saturday in Central Park to get racers pumped. Achilles members from different countries including Canada, United Kingdom and Mexico participated and got a taste of what an Achilles NYC Saturday morning workout is all about. Members of Team Achilles Kids participated in the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K race.

Group shot of everyone at the Shake Out Run

Group shot of members of Achilles New Zealand at the Shake Out Run

Group shot of some of our Team Achilles charity runners at the Shake Out Run

Group shot at the Shake Out Run

Francesco Magisano posing with HOKA ambassadors at the Shake Out Run

Military veterans of the Achilles Freedom Team were treated to a special luncheon hosted by our generous sponsor, Cigna. Team members were excited to meet a surprise special guest, former New York Giants quarterback and football legend, Phil Simms at the event. 

Achilles was joined on race day by a number of celebrities who served as guides in the marathon. Nev Schulman, host of MTV's ‘Catfish,’ guided Achilles NYC Director Francesco Magisano. It was his first time guiding and he said it was “best marathon ever.” The pair were featured in the New York Times.

Claudia Stevenson of Achilles Melbourne raced with her favorite iFIT trainer, Knox Robinson while Rolando Lee of Achilles New Jersey conquered the race alongside HOKA athlete and run streaker Hellah Sidibe.

“Hellah is so great,” Rolando says. “Honestly he is just one of the people that help make Achilles what it is. Someone who is just willing to get out there and run with you, talk to you, get to know you and help you reach your goals.”

Achilles was also represented on the course by New York State Senator Robert Jackson, who ran as a guide for his brother-in-law, Peloton instructor Mariana Fernandez who raced as a Team Achilles charity runner, and HOKA athlete Mike Wardian who ran as a guide with Paralympian Richard Whitehead. 

Achilles would like to extend a special thank you to the 80 incredible Team Achilles charity runners who raised a combined total of more than $370,000 to help support athletes with disabilities. 

Congratulations to the entire Achilles community on an unforgettable end to an epic fall marathon season!

Achilles athlete and guide holding hands and smiling together on the NYC Marathon race course

Francesco Magisano and Nev Schulman running and smiling together in the middle of a big crowd on the course

Achilles Freedom Team athletes posing together at the NYC Marathon finish line

Achilles member smiling and posing with his fist up on the course

Achilles Colombia amputee athlete posing at the finish line with the Colombian flag draped over his shoulders

Achilles athlete smiling on his handcycle on the course

Claudia Stevenson posing with Knox Robinson and her other Achilles Melbourne guide after they crossed the finish line

Kieron of Team Achilles Kids posing with his guides on the race course during his first ever marathon

Achilles athlete posing with a thumbs up on his handcycle

Rolando Lee and Hellah Sidibe running together on the course

Achilles New Jersey athlete smiling and waving with her guide on the race course

Mike Wardian and Richard Whitehead posing together at the NYC Marathon finish line

Emily Glasser placing the medal around an Achilles athlete’s neck at the finish line

Team Achilles members posing together at the finish line

Achilles Freedom Team athletes holding hands and posing together at the NYC Marathon finish line

Photo Credit Bergen Runners: Images #1, #9 and #10