Local women experience the NYC Marathon
Published 12:00 am Sunday, November 10, 2024
Lexsa Abramowski of Salisbury, left, with Hollis and her finishing medal.
Runners wait at the start of the New York City Marathon on Sunday just before running across the Verrazano Bridge.
Hollis Theard visits with friends along the marathon course in Brooklyn.
Stephanie Gallo on 1st Avenue, just after coming off the 59th Street Bridge.
Stephanie and all her friends and family. Stephanie’s husband Pat is on the left.
Stephanie Gallo and her cousin, Steve Rivalsi, show off their NYC Marathon medals. - Submitted
The TCS New York City Marathon had perfect weather on Sunday for the nearly 55,000 runners participating. They came from all 50 states and 150 countries. It is the most popular marathon in the world with over 165,000 applicants. Transporting the runners to the start in Staten Island requires 550 buses and 1,500 portajohns are in use. The race goes off in five waves and requires 10,000 volunteers.
Two local women had family ties to the marathon and had looked forward to participating. Stephanie Gallo and Hollis Theard were both excited for the perfect 42-degree morning and the trip across all five boroughs and 26.2 miles to the finish line in Central Park.
Stephanie has a unique relationship with the city. She said, “I have lived in Salisbury for four years, but I was born in the Bronx and raised in Queens. During one of my long runs when you have hours to think on things, I realized I have lived for a time in 4 out of 5 of the boroughs of N.Y. Considering I went to high school in Manhattan and worked there as well, I’m going to consider that I practically lived there, too. It will be very exciting to run through all 5 boroughs. My husband Pat, my biggest cheerleader, will be traveling with me. I am running NYC with my cousin, Steve Rivalsi. My mom Marie, cousin Peter, nephew Christopher (a fellow runner) and my cousin Steve’s family will come to cheer us on.”
Hollis ran in memory of her uncle, a longtime Manhattan resident and runner. She said, “I loved visiting him in the city when I was younger, I initially started entering the marathon lottery in 2022. My uncle passed away unexpectedly in 2019. Besides being a runner, he was one of my biggest cheerleaders and attended my first three marathons. I wanted to do this for my family and to create new, happy memories in New York in honor of my uncle.”
She added, “I grew up in Mount Airy but have lived in Salisbury for the last nine years. I’m very lucky to have a great support crew joining me for the race including my good friends, Lexsa Abramowski, Sharon Earnhardt and Bob Paolino, all from Salisbury. My parents and cousin will be joining me as well.”
After her first half marathon, Stephanie decided it was inevitable to challenge herself to run farther than ever before. She said, “Running a marathon played around in my mind awhile after that and I made up my mind shortly after my 57th birthday in November 2023 to do it. Training has been hard and more time-consuming than I thought it would be. Figuring out what works best for my body was a challenge and mind over matter has been the hardest part for me. The best part is realizing that my body can do more than I believe it can.”
Hollis, at 37 years old, had a wonderful race and said, “The race experience was like nothing you could even imagine. Just when you wanted to slow down or walk, the people pulled you through. So many people are yelling your name and cheering for you. It’s honestly indescribable. The most challenging part was probably the bridges. It’s quiet without spectators, and the hills get more challenging as you go along. The most memorable moment was probably singing along to Frank Sinatra’s ‘New York, New York’ with the other runners as we started the race in Staten Island.”
With a finish time of 5:05:46, Hollis added, “The memories I’ll take home will last me a lifetime. The crowd support along the entire race is awe-inspiring. So many people from different cultures and different walks of life showing you love and making you feel like a rock star. It was truly a magical 26.2 miles of joy and celebration.”
Stephanie finished in 7 hours and 26 seconds. She said, “Running a marathon in NYC is amazing. The crowds that come out to cheer on runners are like no other race. The atmosphere is electric! The most challenging part of the course was the 59th Street Bridge and the last 10 miles after it. The bridge kicked my butt literally, it’s where I started a bad cramp that spread down my leg to my knee at mile 19. I remember all the other runners I ran with and talked to, who became friends as we traveled through NYC together. Also, the funny signs and screams of encouragement in every borough majorly help carry runners through the fun and tough times.
“My biggest takeaway is to always believe in yourself and your abilities. We can do hard things and achieve our dreams. My proudest moment was meeting up with my cousin, Steve at mile 22 and us two first-time marathoners crossing that finish line together.”
When asked if they would do the New York City Marathon again, Hollis said, “Right now, my answer would be no. But as time passes, you forget the aches and pains and only the good memories remain. So, I never say never.”
Stephanie was more direct. “I won’t say no!”
