Hello! My name is Brianna Ruscitti. I’m 23 years old, and over the past year I’ve been working hard to find my footing again and reconnect with the active, motivated version of myself that I’ve always known.

In early 2025, I signed up for my first-ever 5K—just hoping to try something new—and I was instantly hooked. After taking a few years off from exercise following high school, it felt incredible to rediscover that spark. I grew up playing travel softball for 10 years and always loved being active, but graduating during the height of the pandemic turned my world upside down. Like so many others, I struggled mentally and physically, and movement fell out of my life.

That 5K changed everything. It reminded me how good it feels to challenge myself, to set goals, and to show up for my own well‑being. Since then, I’ve been searching for new ways to push myself and stay committed.

In May 2025, my workplace partnered with The Morton Arboretum for their Fight Hunger Run. That experience opened a door I didn’t expect: a chance to combine my love for the outdoors with a cause that truly matters. Later that year, I received an email announcing that The Morton Arboretum was accepting fundraising runners for the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon—and I knew immediately that I wanted to be part of it. I’m thrilled and grateful to share that I was accepted to the 2026 team!

The Morton Arboretum holds a special place in my heart. As an internationally recognized tree-focused garden and research center, they study, protect, and conserve trees—work that is more essential now than ever. With climate instability increasing due to human activity and greenhouse gas emissions, organizations like the Arboretum play a critical role in understanding how to sustain our environment and protect our future.

Supporting them means supporting cleaner air, healthier ecosystems, and a more resilient planet. It’s a mission I believe in deeply, and I’m honored to run on their behalf.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. Training for the Chicago Marathon will be one of the biggest challenges of my life, and I’m excited to share my journey over the next seven months. Your support—no matter the amount—means the world to me and directly helps The Morton Arboretum continue their vital work.