Miles and Milestones: 20 Years of the New York City Marathon

Between 2005 and 2006 (the first year runners participated in the New York City Marathon under the official Team Fox name) the team grew from 22 runners to 90 runners and included MJFF staff member Veronique Enos Kaefer. After crossing the finish line, she reflected: "I find it difficult to describe my experience in other than the vagaries of a beaming smile and the word wow. I loved this marathon, every minute."

Actor Ryan Reynolds was named celebrity chair of Team Fox when he decided to lace up alongside 130 Team Fox runners for the NYC Marathon. He ran in honor of his father who lived with Parkinson’s disease. Ryan currently sits on MJFF’s Board of Directors. 

In 2009, Matt Wilbur, who lives with Parkinson’s, joined Team Fox and ran his first NYC Marathon with his daughter Kristen. The following year, Kristen had to drop out last minute. On the bus to the start line in Staten Island, another Team Fox marathoner introduced himself to Matt and asked if he needed a running partner. Mike Dubin and Matt became instant friends. 

WABC-TV in New York interviewed Michael, Jennie and Mary Kelly about their decision to run the NYC marathon. Michael Kelly was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2004. He and his two daughters, Jennie and Mary, ran the marathon together.

Team Fox members and the greater running community demonstrated incredible resilience and optimism after the devastating effects of Super Storm Sandy resulted in the cancellation of the NYC Marathon. Despite the storm, the team raised over $600,000 without ever setting foot on the racecourse. 

The support of the Team Fox community kept John Ryan strong as he trained for the 2013 NYC Marathon: “From group runs with fellow Team Fox members to the Charity Miles I’ve logged virtually, this group has both kept me going while holding me accountable. There’s a unique camaraderie that has been built through this process and the celebration of other’s successes has deepened my resolve.”

As part of her "Making Impossible Possible" series, Bess Donoghue documented her NYC Marathon journey on Youtube hroughout the year— including providing updates on her fundraising and training.

In honor of former VICE Media President Andrew Creighton, who publicly shared his Parkinson’s diagnosis while training to run the NYC Marathon with Team Fox, 16 people ran with Team VICE and raised $1.1 million in 2016. Andrew currently sits on MJFF’s Board of Directors. 

Diagnosed with runner's dystonia, Justine Galloway ran 26.2 miles backward for the first time, completing the marathon in a time of 6:06:51 and raising over $5,000 for Team Fox. Her friend and fellow Team Fox member, Gene Gurkoff, ran by her side.

When Jeff Zanchelli set out to run the 2018 NYC Marathon, it had been about 13 years since he did any significant running. Driven by his wife’s relentless optimism after her Parkinson’s diagnosis, Jeff decided to dust off his sneakers “for a great cause, not because I necessarily wanted to run 26.2 miles,” he said. 

Team Fox marathoners didn't let the COVID-19 pandemic stop them. Founders of Pints for Parkinson's Orlando, Rose and Chris Babcock, were two of 190 virtual athletes who helped raise over $598,000 for research.

NBC "Sunday Today" host, Willie Geist, ran the 2021 NYC Marathon and raised over half a million dollars for Team Fox. He ran in honor of his father who has Parkinson’s disease. Willie currently sits on MJFF’s Board of Directors. 

At Team Fox's pre-race luncheon, John Lipp, who was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's in 2015, shared his journey with MJFF. "Through the Foundation, I found the kind of community you don’t realize you need until you have it: people who understand the daily realities of Parkinson’s, who offer comfort without pity and who know that hope isn’t naive — it’s necessary," he said.

Esme Fox, the youngest child of Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan, ran her first marathon with Team Fox on the eve of her 24th birthday. "To fulfill one of my personal goals while supporting my dad was an experience I'll never forget."