As I reach the one month mark since running the NYC Marathon and my leg are finally healed, I reflected back on the entire journey. Being surrounded by 50,000 runners at the starting line from all walks of life, most of whom have spent the last several months day in and day out running countless miles training just to get there was a powerful expression of our community. Many had T-shirts on representing the myriad of charities that they were supporting, some were blind or missing limbs, some were there running their 20th Marathon, for some, this was their first race they ever did. It was a powerfully positive experience and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Every inch of the entire 26.2 mile route through one of the most diverse cities in the world was filled with supporters. Thank you everyone for your support!

My name is Rob Kotheimer, and those of you who know me, know I am always up for a challenge. I am always seeking ways to make myself, my community, and our world a better place, and to have fun doing it. Whether it’s through public service or fitness competitions, I am always challenging myself and my friends to be better. So what better way to challenge myself than to run the greatest race in the world, in the greatest city in the world, the New York City Marathon. But what’s a challenge without a cause to fight for and a team to help you through it? That’s why this year, November 6, 2022, I will be running the New York City Marathon to raise money for the Keep a Child Alive (KCA) Foundation, an organization whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable children, young people, adults and families around the world, with a focus on combating the physical, social and economic impacts of HIV/AIDS.