In November 2026, I will run the New York City Marathon for the second time.

When I crossed the finish line in 2024, I learned something that has stayed with me ever since: extraordinary things become possible when we are supported by community.

This year, I am honored to run as part of Team for Kids, raising funds to help young people gain access to running, fitness, mentorship, and opportunities that promote lifelong health and confidence.

As an educator, curator, and community organizer working between New York City and Puerto Rico, much of my life has been dedicated to creating opportunities for learning, growth, and belonging. That is one reason Team for Kids resonates so deeply with me. The program helps ensure that more young people have access to the benefits of movement, mentorship, and community through running.

Training for a marathon is challenging. It requires consistency, patience, and the willingness to keep going one mile at a time. Those same values are at the heart of the work Team for Kids supports every day.

Over the coming months, I will be sharing updates from my training journey—from New York City streets to the beaches and trails of Culebra.

If you are able to contribute, I would be incredibly grateful. Every donation, no matter the size, helps support youth programs while bringing me one step closer to the starting line.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

With gratitude,

Sofía Reeser del Rio