NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon 2026

6 years ago, amidst the pandemic, I made the decision to take a gap-year between high school and college. I chose to go to Israel and participate in the Israel Lacrosse Gap Year program. I did not know a single person participating in the program, and at 18 I traveled 5000 miles away from my family and friends to Ashkelon, a city in Southern Israel. I walked into an apartment not knowing any of the other six guys living in it, and was told that my room was down the hall on the left, with Jake Suesserman. 

Jake was two years older than me, and could not have been a better friend. Throughout our time together Jake and I grew close, and would routinely talk about our experiences and our families. One thing that was obviously clear was how influential his father was on him, and how incredible of a man he was. As our friendship grew and our time in Israel ended, we stayed in touch because of our mutual friends that he played with at Muhlenberg. 

I am honored to run in support of Jake and Marly and appreciate any donation!