Riverdale Gears Up for The 55th New York City Marathon

The New York City Marathon is the world’s largest according to New York Road Runners and an electrifying day for New Yorkers and the Riverdale community. Last year, there were over 55,000 runners from 137 countries, raising a record $70 million for charities. Nearly two million spectators cheer along the route, some of which are Riverdale families and faculty.

The 55,000 participants last year included Riverdale’s own Dean of the Class of 2026 Mr. Jeremy Clifford and Senior Associate Director of College Counseling Ms. Ilse Abusamra. 

Mr. Clifford is an experienced marathon runner, having run more than eight marathons in his lifetime. He likes the New York City marathon for the lively crowds along the route. In particular, “entering different neighborhoods when you change boroughs, like when you come over a bridge and you enter Brooklyn or you come back over the bridge and you re-enter Manhattan, are great [moments],” Mr. Clifford said. “Definitely, the finish in Central Park, where everyone is lined up cheering for you, is a lot of fun.”

Mr. Clifford also shared how running influences other parts of his life, such as his position at Riverdale. The long training process necessary to run 26.2 miles gives a “perspective on how you can do something very difficult by getting better at it a little bit at a time,” Mr. Clifford added, “and learning can be that way as well.” Preparing for a marathon also shows how it can be hard to stay motivated when you “don’t see the improvement after just one run or just one session of studying, but knowing that it does add up over time if you keep working at it is helpful in education.”

The accomplishment of running a marathon is an inspiration to all, especially Riverdale students, including ninth-grader Avery Blau. She watches the New York City Marathon every year, and she and her family cheered on her father when he ran it. Avery describes that during the marathon, “there’s so much excitement and energy and it’s such a fun time to be in New York. It’s in November, so it’s perfect weather, it’s so pretty, and it’s a really good sense of community. And people make posters, like we made posters for my dad.”

Blau also shares that she enjoys running in Central Park, and could see herself running a marathon someday. “It’s fun because I see a lot of other people running, and then it inspires me.” Now in Central Park, there are training groups doing their weekend long runs in preparation for the marathon, Blau said.  

Some dream of running a single marathon, while Ms. Abusamra has already completed 50 marathons. This year will be her sixteenth time running in the New York City Marathon. “I have been running since the age of thirteen,” she said. “The sport of running is a huge part of my life.”

The excitement of the marathon comes with difficult parts of the route that are both physically and mentally challenging for the runners, such as the Queensborough Bridge into Manhattan, Ms. Abusamra shared. Runners find the bridge the hardest part of the course because it is a “rough hill with no spectator support” at mile fifteen, Ms. Abusamra said. However, the bridge is also many runners’ favorite moments, because the fans await in Manhattan and runners can hear and anticipate their energy while on the bridge. “Coming downhill and turning north on First Avenue is electrifying. That part is outstanding every single time.”

Ms. Abusamra discussed the social aspect of running as well. “Running is a huge part of my social life since I see many friends most mornings at 5:45am in the park,” she said. “It is a source of therapy each and every morning. Together we discuss work, life, family, friends, travel, food, recipes, theater and the list goes on and on.” Running also has led Ms. Abusamra to “travel to many parts of the country and world with friends and family, which has been so meaningful.”

She also shared that the Riverdale community can come support her in November. She said that “it’s such a special day in NYC and seeing familiar faces and hearing people scream names is such a boost!”

Mark your calendars: the 2025 TCS New York City marathon will take place on Sunday, November 2nd. In the meantime, get outside and get motivated. 26.2 is in your future!