Thousands of runners will take to the streets of New York City on Sunday for the annual New York City Marathon, including runners from Yorktown and surrounding communities.
Meet some of the local runners preparing to take on the 26.2-mile race.
Ted Pernicano is set to run his 29th New York City Marathon on Nov. 1.
At 68, Yorktown Heights resident Ted Pernicano is preparing for his 29th NYC Marathon. An office administrator, he runs with Taconic Road Runners, based in Yorktown, and RUN PB Running Club, based in Peekskill.
“I am really looking forward to Nov. 1 once again.”
Christian Jara, pictured here after completing this year’s Brooklyn Half Marathon.
Yorktown Heights resident Christian Jara, 44, recently retired as an NYPD captain. He grew up in Jackson Heights and began running with his father, who died five years ago. Jara is preparing for his first marathon.
“Physical fitness has been a huge part of myself, something that I bonded over greatly with my dad my entire life... Although I was always a supporter of the marathon and really into physical fitness, I viewed running a marathon as a mountain too tall to climb. After working in last year's marathon, as my career in law enforcement was coming to an end, I felt this would be a good way to close that chapter of my service to NYC.
“One of my colleagues told a story during training for Health and Wellness, and in the end he said that we all carry backpacks during our lives where they get heavier as time goes on, life keeps putting more and more into our backpacks. In order to make life a bit easier, we have to figure out ways to make our backpacks lighter so we can continue taking on the world. I carry a lot from the experiences life has thrown my way, but the loss of my dad is still the heaviest event to this day despite the time that has gone by.
“I am running the NYC Marathon for a couple of reasons. For my wife and my kids. They carried me throughout my whole adult life more than they'll ever know. I want to show my kids that anything in the world is attainable no matter what anybody says or thinks, I want to honor my beautiful family. For my grandma, my second mom, who passed away 26 years ago and would volunteer to hand out water to runners during past marathons, I know she will be very happy seeing me run. For my mom, who took care of me and raised me to who I am today. For myself, to prove that I can achieve something that I once thought was unattainable. Finally, I am running for my dad. I want to honor him, I know he will be cheering me on from heaven like he always has, and I want to leave a lot of the pain I carry from his loss at that finish line, and make my life backpack a bit lighter.”
Olivia DeCicco is set to run her first New York City Marathon on Nov. 1.
Olivia DeCicco, 26, of Yorktown Heights, works as a physician assistant in a New York City emergency department. A former Yorktown High School athlete, she is running her first marathon while raising money and awareness for Tunnel to Towers.
“Running this marathon has been a long standing goal of mine. I have been athletic all my life playing soccer, lacrosse and running track at Yorktown High School, and since graduating in 2018, I have played various intramural league sports. Despite my familiarity with sports, I am completely out of my comfort zone while training. I’m learning so much about myself, what I am capable of, and continuing to push my limits every time I lace up.”
Eli Aaronson is set to run his first New York City Marathon on Nov. 1.
Cortlandt Manor resident Eli Aaronson, 24, is a personal trainer at Yorktown Heights’ Level Fitness and a certified USA Track & Field coach. A former Hendrick Hudson and Lehigh University track athlete, he is running his first NYC Marathon while raising $5,000 for the Armory Foundation. He hopes to finish in under four hours.
“I have been running consistently for over a year straight. More often than not, you can find me on the North County Trail. I am very fortunate to have a great community surrounding me, and would be remiss not to mention Jade Gorman, Julie Rosenberg and Michael Alaio. Those three have been with me for some long runs making the mileage fly by as we talk through breaths. I am also fortunate to be competing on Nov. 1 with my best friend and college teammate, Nina Cialone. When I initially set out to train for this race, my goal was under four hours. I'm feeling confident that I am capable of it and look forward to seeing just what I can do soon... All it takes is consistency, the humility to start slow and patience. Lots and lots of patience.”
Alison McCaffrey will run her first marathon at the New York City Marathon on Nov. 1.
Alison McCaffrey, 38, of Yorktown Heights, works as a public relations coordinator and is preparing for her first marathon. She secured a spot through the marathon lottery and is drawing motivation from her three children.
“I was lucky enough to win a lottery spot (about 1 percent chance). My motivation is my three kids and showing them that we can do hard things... Training has been relatively smooth, really tough but also very rewarding.”
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