We are just a few days away from the 2022 TCS New York City Marathon! Our TCS New York Marathon team will support Good Sports’ mission to increase access to play for children in need across the country. We can’t wait to cheer on Team Good Sports, all while helping give more kids the chance to play. Learn more about our team here:
Amy Steele – First Time TCS New York City Marathon Runner
Why did you want to run the TCS New York Marathon for Good Sports?
I grew up playing sports and it had such a large impact on skills beyond the field. I learned lessons in being a part of a team, working towards a common goal, discipline and hard work. I want to ensure that children have access to sports if they so choose without financial barriers. Good Sports gives NEW equipment to teams/individuals in need and align with my values.
How did sports impact you growing up?
You learn how to be a good friend and teammate, how to work hard, how no task is too small and the benefits of discipline. I think the lessons you learn through sports are intangible and should be an experience all kids have the opportunity to benefit from. Not to mention that sports are great for staying active and healthy both physically and mentally.
What is your pre-race pump up song?
Heat Waves – Glass Animals
Hamish Bailieu – Three Time TCS New York City Marathon Runner
Why did you want to run the TCS New York Marathon for Good Sports?
This is my second time running the NYC Marathon for Good Sports. It’s a privilege to help such a fantastic organization in its mission to provide kids an opportunity to engage in sports and benefit from all the life lessons that sports have to offer. There is no more critical time to engage in physical activity than in your formative years. By integrating at the grass-roots level, Goods Sports has the potential to pave an opportunity for kids to set their life up for success, by instilling the positive values that sport offers, which can be leveraged throughout one’s entire life in many different ways.
Outside of Good Sports, I’ve never been too focused on long distance running, and I like pushing myself to become better, as well as the routine that a marathon has to offer.
How did sports impact you growing up?
I definitely have my athletic parents to thank for introducing me to the world of sports. Mum and dad made sure our family led a very active lifestyle from an early age, and they sacrificed a lot of their time to make sure we always got to trainings and games in one piece. Additionally, high school sports in Melbourne, Australia are a strong focus and well-resourced, and the level of competition is high, with many professional sports leagues across the country recruiting from APS schools. This dynamic helped drive me to compete and try to make the best teams, whilst also making sports fun, competing and playing alongside my best school friends.
Whilst at University, both my brother and I, continued competing in track & field and eventually started competing professionally on the Australian Athletics Tour, in the 400m. Under our coach, Peter Fitzgerald, much of our time was dedicated to athletics and traveling around Australia to compete.
Looking past the physical health benefits, many of the skills and values that sports provided have been transferrable into many challenges and opportunities I’ve faced socially and professionally. Sports have helped engrain many foundational values in me today including independence, disciple, teamwork, leadership, competitive nature, good habits, ability to execute under pressure, willingness to constantly learn and improve, and to be humble.
What is your pre-race pump up song?
My Stripes – March
Kyle Burcin – First Time TCS New York City Marathon Runner
Why did you want to run the TCS New York Marathon for Good Sports?
I wanted to run the New York Marathon for a cause that I am passionate about, and Good Sports was the perfect fit. The Good Sports mission is incredibly meaningful to me as sports have been one of the more impactful things that I have had in my life. Being able to raise money for and bring awareness to the Good Sports mission of ensuring all kids have this same opportunity to be impacted by sports and physical activity has been extremely motivating!
How did sports impact you growing up?
Sports have been one of the most impactful things that I have had in my life, and they have helped shape me into the person I am today. Sports have helped me learn essential life lessons like respect, determination, responsibility, drive, teamwork and commitment, to name a few. I think one of the most impactful aspects of playing sports growing up was being able to meet and interact with such a wide array of people, personalities, and cultures that I otherwise would have never had the opportunity to engage with. The lessons I learned during my time playing sports growing up continue to impact my personal and professional life every day.
What is your pre-race pump up song?
Thunderstruck – ACDC
Gary McGovern – First Time TCS New York City Marathon Runner
Why did you want to run the TCS New York Marathon for Good Sports?
I wanted to run for a few reasons. Most importantly because I wanted to help raise awareness and money for the work that Good Sports does. As somebody who was lucky enough to play youth sports as a kid, their mission resonated with me immediately and I knew right away I wanted to do this. I’m also a parent of two girls and it was important to me to support an organization that’s helping to get, and keep, more girls in the game! And lastly, despite being from the Boston area, I love New York City and getting a chance to run a historic marathon there in addition to supporting Good Sports was a no-brainer!
How did sports impact you growing up?
Sports quite literally were my life growing up. It was where I developed my friends, learned how to face adversity, and most importantly just have fun! I played lots of different sports but my main ones were baseball and hockey, and I look back very fondly at the experiences and close friends I made on those teams. I was very lucky to have those opportunities as a kid!
What is your pre-race pump up song?
Till I Collapse – Eminem
Kelly Gallo – First Time TCS New York City Marathon Runner
Why did you want to run the TCS New York Marathon for Good Sports?
As a P.E. teacher and high school coach, I know the impact of being able to have the funds to purchase new uniforms and equipment. I am also very passionate about the positive impact sports and staying active has on kids. I wanted to help Good Sports continue the support that they give to children in high-need communities.
How did sports impact you growing up?
Playing sports growing up truly shaped who I am today. There are so many lessons learned on the field and lifelong relationships built from sports.
What is your pre-race pump up song?
Can’t Hold Us – Macklemore
Mike Aud – First Time TCS New York City Marathon Runner
Why did you want to run the TCS New York Marathon for Good Sports?
This gives me an opportunity to show my two boys (ages 5 & 7) that if you put in the work, results will follow (I have NEVER run anything close to a marathon before) while also supporting a great cause in Good Sports. I am a firm believer in the benefit of youth sports and the enhanced development that can come as a result.
How did sports impact you growing up?
I was a military brat growing up, so I moved around a lot. Every few years I was in a new town. When you’re moving around that much, it’s hard, socially. Kids are instantly judging you, and aren’t always welcoming. As a result, it’s often hard to make friends. The only time I could really be myself was on a sports field. The point is that if I didn’t have sports when I was growing up, my life would have been so much harder. That’s why I’m passionate about youth sports, and that’s where Good Sports comes in.
What is your pre-race pump up song?
White Walls – Macklemore
Renata Merino – First Time TCS New York City Marathon Runner
Why did you want to run the TCS New York Marathon for Good Sports?
I am running as a Good Sports board member and in support of keeping little girls in sports.
How did sports impact you growing up?
As a female athlete since age 8, sports has given me leadership skills, self confidence and I attribute my career success to the leadership and teamwork skills I learned growing up playing multiple sports (soccer, tennis, swimming and lacrosse). In addition, sports has taught me to overcome adversity in both life and business and little girls MUST to learn to NEVER give up!
What is your pre-race pump up song?
Aerosmith – Living On The Edge
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