On Sunday, November 3, the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon became the world’s largest marathon ever, hosting over 55,000 finishers and more than 2 million spectators for the perfect race day. The Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF) was proud to join the celebration as an Official Charity Partner of the New York Road Runners for this record-breaking event.
As a part of our year-long celebration of our 50th anniversary, WSF hosted our largest team to date. Fifty dedicated and inspiring runners, representing over 10 states, Australia, and Kenya, took to the streets of NYC, weaving through the five boroughs, conquering the 26.2-mile course, and crossing the finish line in Central Park. The energy from the city was incomparable!
Team WSF kicked off the exciting weekend, the Friday before the race, with the TCS New York City Marathon Opening Ceremony where WSF runner Cate Gachanja represented the team proudly in the Parade of Nations as the Flag Bearer for Kenya. Later that evening, our runners joined together for dinner and celebration at Carmine’s Times Square. For many, it was the first time meeting in person and we thought it was the perfect way to shake out some pre-race jitters. Team WSF gathered for the final time on Saturday evening for a pre-race pep talk with this year’s team captain and WSF Trustee Emerita, Kathrine Switzer, who was the first woman to register and run the Boston Marathon and who won the NYC Marathon 50 years ago.
Our runners’ commitment to WSF’s mission is evident in their efforts to raise funds supporting our work and programs while training for this challenge. For many, it was their first marathon. With gifts still rolling in, our runners have raised over $286,000 to date! Thank you to everyone who cheered alongside us on race day and helped our runners cross the finish line.
You can still show your support by visiting this page and make a gift to Team WSF. Your generous gifts not only championed our runners, but also continue to help us provide critical research, advocacy, and community programming that keeps girls and women in the game. We could not do this work without you!
If you are interested in learning more about Team WSF or joining our list of early-interest runners for next year’s race, please fill out our early interest form here. If you have any questions, please reach out to Demi McClung here.
Thank you again and congratulations, Team WSF!
