TEAM ELEPHANT TAKES ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIVE BOROUGH TCS NYC MARATHON
On November 1st, 33 incredible runners took part in the 50th anniversary of the TCS New York City Marathon, the world's largest marathon. Alongside more than 60,000 runners, Team Elephant NYC stood out by raising over $155,000 for wildlife conservation!
Volunteer runner, Andrew Cottle
Congratulations to Team Elephant NYC! Each runner committed to raising $4,500, and many went above and beyond to make an even bigger impact for wildlife in South Africa. This year's team was also our largest-ever TCS NYC Marathon team, helping us reach an incredible fundraising milestone.
The excitement began the day before the race with our team shakeout run and information session. With runners traveling from all across the country, we were thrilled to welcome so many new faces to the Team Elephant community. After running from Columbus Circle to the iconic Vessel, everyone had the chance to connect over breakfast and learn more about Wild Tomorrow's mission from our co-founders, Wendy Hapgood and John Steward.
What an amazing race day! New York City is known for its electric crowds, with cheers of support echoing throughout the entire course. But this marathon was no small feat! From a challenging uphill start and long, straight stretches to a hill at the finish, our runners took it all in stride and crushed it!
Despite the challenging course, runners were rewarded with some of the most iconic views of the city across all five boroughs. The journey began with a ferry ride to Staten Island, one of New York City's five boroughs, offering a beautiful view of the Statue of Liberty and the perfect photo opportunity for first-time visitors and longtime locals alike.
Throughout the race, runners enjoyed exclusive skyline views as they crossed five bridges connecting the boroughs. One of the most memorable moments came halfway across the Queensboro Bridge, where runners experienced the famous "wall of sound" as they approached Manhattan and heard the cheers of thousands of spectators.
A special thank you to our incredible TCS NYC Marathon sponsor, Tinicum, for matching our runners' fundraising efforts and helping us reach such an amazing total! We are truly grateful for your generosity and support.
Two Tinicum team members, Jackson Davis, a Wild Tomorrow Junior Board Member, and Mason Zhao, also joined Team Elephant NYC this year, running to protect wildlife in South Africa on behalf of Tinicum.
Congratulations again to all 33 runners! Together, we are proving that every mile makes a difference. Thank you for being part of the Team Elephant community and helping Wild Tomorrow protect and restore wildlife and wild spaces.
Check out our other amazing Team Elephant races at www.wildtomorrow.org/teamelephant and find a race that will challenge you.