NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon 2026

I was a kid in this program a long time ago, like 30 years ago long. The 52nd Street Project uses theater and the arts to engage young people in Hell's Kitchen who'll get the most out of its programming. They're engaged for the long haul, from age 9 - 18, and support continues afterwards with scholarships to help with college. To top it off, everything the Project does is free for those who participate - kids and families don't pay for any of the programs and productions featuring the work of our young people is free for all attendees (by the way, come see a show, they're awesome!). 

Funnily enough, what stays with me from my time with the organization isn't necessarily the plays or the performances, it's the people I got to know over the course of 8 years. It's difficult to express how important it is as a young person to be around a group of good people trying to do their best to make the world a better place, starting with our little neighborhood of Hell's Kitchen. I remember on one of our trips, the Artistic Director and the Production Manager were walking in front of me, pretending to be fighter pilots talking into walkie talkies as bogeys (pedestrians) passed by us, and as I laughed at them the thought crossed my mind, I hope I'm able to be that childish when I grow up. 

If any of this speaks to you, please take a moment to support my run and fund this amazing organization, I'd greatly appreciate it and every little bit helps.

Also, I work for them. I am in charge of fundraising. If we don’t raise money, I will literally be fired.