More than 50,000 runners traversed 26.2 miles across five boroughs for the TCS New York City Marathon. Among them were 925 participants who ran in support of Fred’s Team. Fred’s Team is the running program for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), which is dedicated to moving closer to a world without cancer.
Fred’s Team members compete in athletic events worldwide and have raised more than $80 million to support MSK cancer research. The group was named in honor of running legend and co-founder of the New York City Marathon, Fred Lebow. In 1991, while he was being treated for brain cancer at MSK, he jogged through hospital hallways, determined to find a way to raise money for a cure. That year, Fred encouraged runners competing in the marathon to raise money for each mile they ran, and designated MSK its first official charity.
Since the start of Fred’s Team, runners have participated in races worldwide to raise money, putting on their iconic orange Fred’s Team uniforms and taking part in 5Ks, half-marathons, marathons, triathlons and climbs – all while adding meaning to their miles.
Collectively, Fred’s Team raised more than $5.3 million for cancer research this year. Congratulations to the runners, donors and supporters for reaching this meaningful milestone.