It's Katy's 2nd year participating on Nick's team.  She started running for the team (with her husband) last year as a way to honor Nick and family and friends who have been impacted by the events on 9/11.  It has been a life-changing process in so many ways for her, and she's thrilled to be a part of such an amazing team.  This will be Katy's third marathon and she's so excited about returning home to New York City.  Katy and her husband Mike currently live in Dallas, Texas but consider themselves lifelong New Yorkers.  She works as an Associate Brand
Manager for Frito-Lay on the Tostitos brand, and her passions (other than running) include:  hanging out with her amazing husband and dog - Astro, travelling, food and wine.

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I’m originally from Ireland and moved to New York in 2007 with the company I work for, Oracle.  Prior to my move to NYC in 2007 I spent several years living & working in Hong Kong.  Before Hong Kong I was based out of London, working throughout Europe.

I’ve been involved in a variety of sports in the past and started to really focus on running mid-2009.  After running several half marathons I wanted to take the step up to a marathon distance, specifically the NYC Marathon.  I also wanted to use this opportunity to run for a good cause.  After researching numerous charities I quickly came to the conclusion Nicks Fund was the charity for me.  My decision was based on both what the fund represents & adds to people’s lives and also what Nick represented as a person & the ultimate sacrifice he made in an effort to protect the people of New York. 

Working with Nicks Fund also provided me with the opportunity to work with a good cause that gives back to New York.  I consider myself fortunate to work & live in this great city and this is my effort to show appreciation for that.  Again, to be able to do all of this in association with a fund that continues to recognize & honor Nick’s life and what he added to everyone around him really does make this a very special reason to run the NYC Marathon.

My first marathon was in 2009.  It will always hold great memories for me, in particular working with Barbara and the team in the lead up to the race and then the actual day itself.  It is hard to describe what running the NYC Marathon brings to your life, it really is an amazing experience.  And when you’re feeling tired during the race all you need to do is remember why you’re doing this…you’re doing this to recognize the ultimate sacrifice Nick Rossomando made in his life to ensure NYC is a safe place to live and can continue to offer you the opportunity to run this race.

I feel privileged to be part of this great team & really look forward to the 2010 NYC Marathon and building upon my 2009 fundraising efforts.    

 

This is Ali’s first time participating as a part of Nick’s team in the NYC marathon.  She has just recently completed her first marathon on February 28th, 2010 in New Orleans, LA. She was inspired to run for a cause by her friend Lindsay who had fundraised for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for the New Orleans marathon.After returning from New Orleans, Ali was approached by Nicholas’ brother Pete whom she worked with at the University of New Haven, to participate in the NYC marathon as a part of Nick’s team.

Ali currently resides in Albany, NY, but she originally hails from Monroe, NY and can recall the exact time and place when she heard of the events of 911.  Her community was greatly affected by this event and also had family members living in the city at the time.   Ali was excited for this opportunity and having known Nicholas’ story and the Rossomando family, felt it was a wonderful way to give back to a deserving student and to this wonderful family. 

Along with Nicholas’ story, Ali is also inspired by her family, especially her father, who has been a great support as a running partner over the past few years.  He completed the NYC and Marine Corps marathons and she can’t think of a more wonderful way of honoring and thanking him by completing this marathon herself.  She looks forward to running close to home and hopes for a huge support group of friends and family to come out and cheer on Nick’s team.

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I joined Nick's team for the 2009 NYC Marathon after watching my close friend and fellow 2010 teammate Brian Mylod run for Nick in 2008. I had always wanted to do something to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11/01 and this was the perfect way to do that. The '09 Marathon was parlayed into a special day for my now-fiance and I as I proposed to her on Central Park West when I was reunited with her and my amazing support group of family and friends. It goes without saying that Nick, Barbara and the entire Rossomando family is held very close to our hearts for many reasons after last year's marathon and I am very much looking forward to doing it again for Nick. I am currently a Director of Production for the Nine West Footwear Group. In my spare time I enjoy listening to, playing and writing about music. I also enjoying skiing, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

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I started running three years ago to do something for myself. I am a single Mom with four kids who wants to show her children that through exercise you can become a stronger person both mentally and physically. The marathon is my ultimate goal in commitment and determination for fitness.

Nick's Fund was my choice since the money stayed local and went to students who were taking care of themselves by choosing fitness as a part of their life. I also have very close friends who are members of the FDNY and responded on 9/11/01. The men and women who gave their lives that day and the men and women who still to this day keep others safe by risking their own lives cannot ever be truly thanked.

I am proud to be doing my part in never forgetting what these men and women did and am very excited to be running my first marathon.

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Running in the New York City Marathon has been a dream of mine ever since I first watched the race from my Upper East Side apartment window in 2002; but I only began to run seriously in 2009. On my first run I was winded after one block. I have come a long way since then, but I still have a long way to go.

I first moved to New York City in 2002, from Los Angeles, California. In 2004 I moved downtown, just a block and a half from the World Trade Center site, on Maiden Lane. Because I live close to Ground Zero and work with people who were directly affected by 9/11, I feel the gravity and impact of the event almost every day. Although I was not living in New York at the time, only two weeks before 9/11, while on vacation, I visited the Twin Towers observation deck. It was an experience I will never forget, made even more poignant by the tragedy. I am
proud to dedicate my first marathon to Nick and all the other heroes of that day.

This is Tom's first year running the NYC marathon and first year contributing to the Nicholas Rossomando 9/11 Memorial Scholarship Fund. Tom is no stranger to a charity as he successfully completed and met all fund raising goals for the 2008 Chicago Marathon.

I chose the Nicholas Rossomando 9/11 Memorial Scholarship Fund for two main reasons. One, I wanted to feel connected to NYC, as I am not from there. I thought if I honor a true hero of NYC it would be a very rewarding experience. Two, I love what the fund accomplishes. As a high school and college lacrosse player, I know how important it is to reward our student athletes for the extra hard work they put into being a student-athlete. I think that the students of today are clearly our future and should be afforded the opportunity to secure an education that will better our community and learn what it means to be a true Hero.

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This is Ralph's return to the New York City Marathon. He ran three, the last one in 1993. Knee and back injuries have kept Ralph away from running the past several years. Running this marathon is a big goal and will be a big challenge for Ralph with a pending knee replacement in the near future; so this is Ralph's last marathon. It is with this reality that Ralph is giving it his all to just be able to finish this years marathon. Fundraising has always been important to him, so running in the memory of a hero firefighter and raising money for a scholarship fund couldn't inspire him more.
 
I have been with the FDNY for 18 years, formerly as a firefighter and presently as a counselor for the FDNY Counseling Service Unit. The FDNY connection is important to me and I feel that family connection as well being part of the fundraising efforts for the Nicholas Rossomando 9/11 Memorial Scholarship Fund and running on Nick’s Team in the ING NYC Marathon on November 7, 2010.

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This will be my first and Keith’s third marathon. Keith is a long time runner while I am still relatively new to the sport. We first learned of Nick’s fund while researching all the different charities associated with the marathon. This charity struck a personal note with the both of us because Keith is a member of the FDNY. On 9/11/01, he was a member of Engine 235 in Brooklyn. They lost 6 members of their company that day. It is our privilege to be associated with this charity to honor the sacrifice made my Nick and all the rescue workers who gave their lives that day. We will never forget!.

 

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I have been a recreational runner for years and have always wanted to run the NYC Marathon but a knee injury and too many trips to Dunkin Donuts put a crimp in my marathon aspirations.  The NYC Marathon is the biggest party in the world and I love a good party.  This will be my first marathon and I am going to take my time and enjoy every minute.  No sir, I am not a party-pooper and I am going enjoy every foot of the 26.2-mile course. 

September 11, 2001 happened to be the 40th birthday of one of my best friends, Captain Vinny Giammona of Ladder 5.  Vinny was training for his first NYC Marathon in 2001 but never made it home that day.  I’m dedicating this marathon to Vinny, as the marathon that he never got to finish.  I am also dedicating this marathon to some other great guys from Ladder 5/Engine 24 – Firefighters Greg Saucedo, Andrew Brunn, Paul Keating, Bobby Beddia and Joe Graffagnino who were lost September 11 and at the Deutsche Bank fire – and to all the other firefighters lost at Ladder 5. 

I heard about Nick’s 9/11 Memorial Scholarship Fund from a friend.  I spoke to Nick’s mother Barbara and learned all about Nick.  Nick was energetic, adventurous, loved life and lit up a room when he entered.  He seemed to have a larger than life personality that was quite unique - the type of person who comes along once a generation.  The similarity between Nick and my friend Vinny was striking.  I knew then that this was the perfect charity for me.  I was sold on Nick the person, a mother’s love for her son and the Rossomando family dream to keep Nick’s legacy alive by helping some deserving college-bound students. 

I am honored to be part of Nick’s team and its pledge to help young people who have overcome adversity and have gone on to achieve great things despite the odds. 

Running the NYC marathon will be a considerable challenge for me but I will have Nick, Vinny and all the other guys from Ladder 5 helping me every step of the way. 

Central Park or Bust!!

 

This is my first time running the ING NYC Marathon, and I am very honored to be running for Nick’s team. As an educator, and the daughter of a firefighter, Nick’s Scholarship Fund is a cause very close to my heart. I am running the 2010 NYC Marathon for Nick’s Team as a way to remember all those who lost their lives on 9/11, and to show my gratitude to the men and women of the FDNY who made the ultimate sacrifice on that day. I plan on finding the perseverance to make it through the marathon by thinking of the tremendous amount of courage the men and women of the FDNY showed on 9/11. As a former resident of Manhattan, I couldn’t think of a better way to see all five boroughs of the great City of New York. I currently reside in Long Island, where I am a middle school teacher. In my spare time, I enjoy listening to and playing music, spending time with friends and family, going to the beach – and, of course, running!

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I joined Nick's Team for 2010 after watching my sister complete her first New York City Marathon for Nick in 2009. Nick's fund is close to our families' heart, because on the same day the Rossomando's lost a member of their family, we lost a member as well, our mother, Janet Gustafson. This will be my first marathon and I look forward to completing the distance with a team of people supporting me. I am currently finishing up high-school in NYC and planning where I will be attending college in the fall of 2011. In addition to running, I enjoy playing basketball and lacrosse and spending time with my friends and family.

The 2010 NYC Marathon will be Jon’s second marathon and his first time running for Nick’s Team.  Jon took up running in 2003 when looking for a way to stay in shape after his years of playing ice hockey in college were done and over with. In the years since then, he has participated in numerous charity and law enforcement runs.  A resident of Annapolis, Maryland, Jon has been an Anne Arundel County Police Officer for 6 years and spent the last 2 years working as a SWAT team operator and team tactical medic.  There are several reasons that Jon chose to run and fundraise for The Nicholas Rossomando Memorial Scholarship Fund. 9/11 Memorial Scholarship Fund
After hearing Nick’s story and learning about the scholarship fund, Jon felt that running to honor Nick, as well as all of the other brave first responders that lost their lives on 9/11 was a personally, meaningful and positive cause.  Being involved in student athletics himself in both high school and college, Jon recognizes the value and importance of today’s youth being able to balance academics and sports.  In addition to meeting the challenges of running this year’s NYC Marathon, he looks forward to raising money that will ultimately go to the scholarships granted in Nick’s name.  In his spare time, Jon enjoys playing hockey, boating, and spending time with his wife, friends, and family!

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My name is Jennifer Hald and I am a proud mother of 2 children. I began running 17 months ago in an effort to live healthier, lose weight and relieve stress. I fell in love with the sport immediately and really enjoy the satisfaction of achieving personal goals and overcoming challenges during my runs. Some of my races completed are the LI Half Marathon 2009, Tunnel to Towers 2009, Wounded Warrior Run 2009 and the LI Half Marathon 2010.

I have an extreme respect for men and women of uniform who have answered the call (Police, Fire, EMT, servicemen and women, etc.) and the events of 9-11 have only reinforced my feelings and admiration for those who give all of themselves in the name of duty. Growing up on Long Island to one day witness the horrible events of September 11th has really resonated deep in my heart . When choosing a charity to support for the 2010 NYC Marathon I was immediately drawn to the Nicholas Rossomando Memorial Scholarship fund. I believe it is a wonderful way to keep the spark of Nick’s life alive in the spirits of the children we are able to help.

This year I will turn 35. The same age Nick was when he was murdered. Never forget.

 

My name is Natasha Egan and I was born and raised in New York.  I am the wife of a NYC firefighter and mother of 2 children.  I work as a substance abuse counselor and was a trauma counselor during 9/11.  This is my first time running the NYC Marathon and I am grateful to be a part of something so positive.  Although this is just the beginning, this experience has unexpectedly become a healing process.

I ran my first half marathon in May 2010 and decided it was time to fulfill my dream of running the NYC Marathon.  I look forward to the challenge and the opportunity to help raised money for such a wonderful cause.

The 2010 ING NYC Marathon will be my first marathon. I am a New York City Firefighter currently assigned to Engine Company 222 in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Born and raised in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn I watched marathon runners run up my block every year growing up and always had a goal to run one myself. Nick's fund is a charity that I am honored to be a part of. I chose this charity because it not only helps keep the memory alive of a firefighter who gave his all, but also helps our youth reach their next stage in education. It is an amazing feeling that my first marathon will help college bound students achieve their goals, as well as help keep Nick and all of the other rescue workers memories alive who gave their lives on 9/11.

“This will be my first year running the NYC marathon and first year contributing to the Nicholas Rossomando 9/11 Memorial Scholarship Fund. The NYC marathon 2010 will actually be my first marathon. I am twin brother of John Hayes, who ran last year contributing to the Nicholas Rossomando 9/11 Memorial Scholarship Fund. John’s experiences completing the Marathon while supporting the fund, really made me feel this year a joint effort would be very worthwhile and rewarding achievement for us.

My experiences in fund raising for charity to-date was completed mostly on 2 wheels rather than on foot. Each year since 2006 I completed as part of a team a 150K cycle in Ireland (Dublin to Wexford) for a very worthwhile charity in Ireland focused and giving homeless young people in Ireland a home and an education. I feel The Nicholas Rossomando 9/11 Memorial Scholarship Fund is also about giving young people the support to achieve what they can from their lives.

A keen amateur runner for a number of years, this will be a big test but one I am looking forward to. Recently I have relocated with work to Singapore, so training to date is difficult as the temperature ranges from constantly high, to high. I may be one of the few looking forward to it being a little cooler on the day.”

I am looking forward to the event.

I recently moved to Staten Island from Los Angeles, California.  I have two little girls, Maddin (4yrs) and Ryan (3yrs), who are my heart.
Going through a challenging time in my life, I decided that I was going to focus on something that I have always wanted to achieve.  Running the NYC Marathon!  Training for this goal has saved me in so many ways, but something was lacking.  When I came across Nick's Fund, I found exactly what I was looking for....A reason to run that was bigger than myself.  Speaking with Barbara, Nick's mother, was a conversation I will never forget.  When she sent me a DVD that Nick's brother made in his memory, saying I was inspired is an understatement.  My challenges seemed like nothing. My focus has become......letting the people around me know how much I love them every single day.  Using everyday as an opportunity to learn, grow and explore.   Never taking anything for granted.   Living life to the fullest.  Just like Nick.

I know there will be moments during the marathon, just like these moments in my present life, where I am going to want to stop, give up, throw in the towel. But now that is an impossibility.  Not only because of my girls, but because of Nick.  It will be one of the greatest honors of my life to run for this charity.

I am originally from Seattle but have always wanted to live and work in New York.  I have always been a Jets and a Rangers fan.  My wife is a born and raised native New Yorker that I met in Las Vegas when her brother and I worked together.  So marrying her and moving here was perfect for me. 

This will be my first time running the NYC Marathon and running for Nick's team.  I have run 4 marathons and have done fundraising for each of them.  When looking for a worthy cause this time I picked Nick's team because it hit close to my heart.  My wife was working downtown on 9/11 and her mother was a nurse who volunteered at Ground Zero.  I am an 8 year veteran of the Marines and am currently a volunteer firefighter in East Farmingdale.  The sacrifice that Nick made for others was the ultimate sacrifice that anyone could make.  I have had friends killed in the Marines and every time we answer a call at the firehouse it could be the last. 

The fact that Nick's fund stays local and helps kids who have overcome adversity and turned their lives around is a huge motivator.  I am honored to have been accepted to run for this amazing team and hope to raise money for many years to come to help our youth succeed.   

I am honored to be a member of Nick's Team this year. My brother, Brian Mylod, introduced me to this charity when he ran the NYC Marathon for the team in 2008. The next year one of his best friends, Tim Gibb, ran for Nick's Team. Now, it is my turn (and I am so lucky to be running with Tim as he trains again this year)! As a resident of NYC on September 11, 2001, I forever will carry with me the memories of that day and the sacrifice made by those who served us, particularly the FDNY. Raising money on behalf of and running the marathon in the spirit of Nick Rossomando and the scholarship program allow me to say thank you and pay tribute to all of those we lost that day. I have been running on and off since high school, and started running in competitions (for fun only!) these past few years. I have completed two half-marathons and a number of 5Ks; NYC will be my first full marathon. I often run with my infant son, James, who is terrific jogging companion! My husband, Tim Lynch, has been tremendously supportive of my training commitment and I appreciate his patience with my early morning workouts (I always end up waking him up!) and extended weekend runs. When not running or mothering, I work as an attorney in Hartford, Connecticut.

Information on this runner to follow.   

Information on this runner to follow.   

The 2010 NYC Marathon will be my first marathon and my first time to raise funds for the Nicholas Rossomando 9/11 Memorial Scholarship Fund. In addition of the special significance of running for Nick’s Team, I look forward to completing a marathon with my father.

I am currently a senior majoring in Architecture at Texas A&M University and I am a member of the A&M Reserve Officers Training Corps.  I’ve learned a lot from being in the Corps of Cadets; every year we participate in an eighteen mile march along the Brazos River to raise money for the March of Dimes whose goal is to prevent birth defects. The Corps requires dedication, determination, and devotion and I have loved the challenges and overcoming them as I have been transformed from a follower and molded into a leader.

General Patton once said, “Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.” I believe that this marathon will have the same affects as the Corps and will make me into a better person.  I see a lot of the same qualities in myself as Nicholas regarding service, sacrifice and honor.  I’m excited to carry on his legacy and continue giving back to those who are in need of educational assistance through Nick’s Fund.

I might be coming from the westcoast of Canada but my heart, soul and blood lives in New York City. The first time I was in the city for a visit, it was the summer of 2000. I came back for job interviews in November 2001 and stayed near the site, there was so much construction I couldn't get any sleep! In 2002 I was ready to start my new life out east. The next 3 years were just pure love for the culture and people of NYC. 
I've never ran a Marathon ever. I've never ran a half Marathon either. I'm not a distance runner but I figured this will be a great challenge. I will never be able to qualify for a marathon with my pace (I'm very worried about the sweep bus beating me). Despite this I am so glad I have the opportunity to support Nick's legacy. I feel as though the city is a part of me and I love to support something educational, local, and so meaningful.