A MESSAGE FROM Alexander's Team for Climate NY Marathon Fundraiser
Welcome to my fundraising page for the New York City Marathon! I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be running my very first marathon this year, and I'm doing it for a cause that's close to my heart: climate action
Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to our goal of preserving our forests and fighting climate change. Your support will keep me going through every training run and every mile of the marathon. Let's make this race count for more than just personal achievement. Together, we can stride towards a greener, healthier planet—one step at a time!
Nonetheless, when I moved to NYC, I became fascinated with the marathon and have made it a tradition to watch every year I've lived here (since 2019). Over that time, I've ran half marathons, battled knee injuries, and both supported and received lots of encouragement from my partner Lauren who ran the Marathon du Medoc in 2023 and is also running in NY and raising funds here!
The Cause
New York Road Runners (NYRR) is a NYC-based nonprofit that organizes the New York City Marathon. NYRR is dedicated to transforming the health and well-being of our communities through inclusive and accessible running experiences, and has also committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2040. This year marks the inaugural partnership of NYRR with Anew Climate to become a leader in sports sustainability and form the New York City Marathon’s Team for Climate.
The money raised for Anew Climate will help fund two forest management projects, with one project in New Hampshire where my family has lived and visited for over 50 years.
1. The Hartwood Forestry Project: 6,000+ acres in southern New York
- Protects forests from being cut down
- Improves wildlife habitats
- Safeguards stream water quality
- Enhances forest recreation and education
2. The Eagle Mountain Forestry Project: 6,000+ acres across NY, NH, VT, and ME
- Preserves wilderness sanctuaries
- Allows for natural forest growth
- Offers low-impact recreation like hiking and cross-country skiing.
These projects not only remove carbon from the atmosphere but also avoid future emissions, creating a double impact for our climate. Your entire donation will go towards purchasing carbon offsets from Anew Climate, supporting NYRR on its ambitious journey toward Net Zero by 2040. By contributing, you're not just supporting my run—you're actively participating in making one of the world's most iconic sporting events more sustainable. You can find more info here.
My Journey
Running the New York City Marathon is a dream come true--this incredible 26.2-mile journey through New York City's five boroughs will culminate a much longer path for me. My serious running journey began when I walked onto my middle school's track team and continued as I competed for both my high school's track and cross country teams. However, after a competitive freshman year on the team, my sophomore year took a different turn: I fractured my pelvis and several vertebrae during a snowboarding accident and spent three months in a wheelchair. Though the accident and subsequent recovery was a significant setback, I returned to the teams the following year. I've always loved the peace, camaraderie, grit, and energy that runners embrace. Yet, all this time, I never dreamed that my path would veer into a five borough, world-famous, life-changing extravaganza since I frankly considered running a marathon to be a little bit crazy.
Running the New York City Marathon is a dream come true--this incredible 26.2-mile journey through New York City's five boroughs will culminate a much longer path for me. My serious running journey began when I walked onto my middle school's track team and continued as I competed for both my high school's track and cross country teams. However, after a competitive freshman year on the team, my sophomore year took a different turn: I fractured my pelvis and several vertebrae during a snowboarding accident and spent three months in a wheelchair. Though the accident and subsequent recovery was a significant setback, I returned to the teams the following year. I've always loved the peace, camaraderie, grit, and energy that runners embrace. Yet, all this time, I never dreamed that my path would veer into a five borough, world-famous, life-changing extravaganza since I frankly considered running a marathon to be a little bit crazy.
Nonetheless, when I moved to NYC, I became fascinated with the marathon and have made it a tradition to watch every year I've lived here (since 2019). Over that time, I've ran half marathons, battled knee injuries, and both supported and received lots of encouragement from my partner Lauren who ran the Marathon du Medoc in 2023 and is also running in NY and raising funds here!
I'm excited to channel my passion for running and the energy of New York City into a cause that will benefit generations to come. When I hit the wall at mile 20, I'll push through not just for personal achievement, but for the forests we're protecting and the future we're running towards.
Stay Updated
Stay Updated
- I'll be sharing regular updates on my training progress on my Strava
- Check back for stories about my training, the impact of our fundraising, and more about the New York City Marathon experience.
Photos & Videos
