For years, I have been a spectator watching people push through 26.2 miles of New York City streets from the sidewalks smiling and celebrating with my friends. This year, I will be paying my dues and getting inside the barricades to take on those streets and bridges myself at the 2026 New York City Marathon.

Not only is this an accolade I am looking to secure as a born and raised New Yorker, but I am dedicating this race to my father to embody his competitive and indomitable spirit.

Most of you reading this knew or knew of my father. He was a very accomplished man in life and business, always seeking a new challenge, always learning, and always looking to help. My dad was the ultimate competitor. Playing D1 hoops at Cornell for 4 years and 18 years against my brother and I in the driveway. He took everything coming at him head on, deadset on coming out on top. He took this competitive spirit with him through the hardest battle anyone could have to face. In March of 2020, a timer was put on my dad’s life. Only a few days after the pandemic began, he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma - a terminal brain cancer. After being given 18 months to live, he didn’t fold. My dad strapped up his boots, threw a smile on his face, and competed against the odds every day to live for 4 more years. In March of 2024, his battle with brain cancer came to an end. Although technically he didn’t come out on top this time - he didn’t lose to Glioblastoma, he just ran out of time.

In those 4 years, even while physically and mentally held back from being the man he once was, he never stopped offering himself to help those that needed it most. He was always looking out for the underdog. To carry on his efforts, my family has fundraised and acted as a direct line of support for those dealing with glios of their own. Through these efforts we were introduced to James Blauvelt. James lost both of his parents to cancer and to honor them he started the JDJ foundation. Their mission is to provide financial support to families affected by cancer and to supply pediatric wheelchairs to children in need. They are an all-volunteer organization, and 100% of every dollar raised goes directly to supporting these communities. Simply, the JDJ Foundation is all about helping the little guy, making it an easy fit to my father’s goals and a great place for me to make a difference in his honor.

Through partnership with the JDJ Foundation, I am looking to raise $15,000 in my dad’s name. With James and I’s shared relationship with glioblastoma, every dollar I raise will go to support pediatric brain cancer research programs and directly helping the families of the children unfortunately fighting cancer.

So help me help my dad in continuing to do good and helping out those in need. Every donation—no matter the size—helps support research that brings us closer to better treatments and gives the children fighting this horrible disease a better quality of life. If you're unable to donate, sharing this page would mean just as much.

Thank you for the support, and taking the time to read my story. I will be thinking of you all on November 1st as I take on my first marathon!

-Tucker