“We’re running for autism for everyone with autism, but especially for my son, Duke,” OAR runner Jen Fellmann said as she took on the 2024 TCS NYC Marathon alongside her friends, Sarah Dixon and Lyndsey Benharris. Their team, Duke’s Darlings, raised over $11,600 for the RUN FOR AUTISM program. After training together over the summer, Fellman, Dixon, and Benharris ran every step of the 26.2 miles together on race day—November 3.
The RUN FOR AUTISM team of 111 runners raised over $350,000 for OAR. The 2024 New York City Marathon was the year’s largest fundraising event for the RUN FOR AUTISM for the third year in a row. Many runners dedicated their miles to autistic family members as Fellman did. “I’m running for my son, Anthony,” OAR runner Christina Marchese-Pires said as she took on her first NYC Marathon.
“Running the NYC Marathon with this purpose felt incredibly meaningful, and race day was nothing short of amazing,” said Gloria Estrada who also ran for a family member. “The energy, support, and knowing I was helping such a vital cause made every mile worthwhile.”
On race morning, over 50 OAR runners gathered in Charity Village on Staten Island, the starting point for the race that traverses all five boroughs of New York before finishing in Central Park. “Everyone was so supportive before the race and it was awesome to be able to get to know everyone,” said runner Lauren Magill.
“The crowds and Team OAR really made this one stand out,” said Danielle Lewis. She completed her fifth full marathon and earned her second Abbott World Major Marathon star while running for her nephew. “I was honestly a little nervous about this one, but God set things in my favor and I did better than I expected.”
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