NYC Marathon for Alzheimer's: Influencer Crust by Carson

NYC Marathon for Alzheimer’s: Influencer Crust by Carson

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Social media influencer Carson Gillaspia, known to millions as “Crust by Carson,” is set to run the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on November 1 to raise funds and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association. Gillaspia is dedicating the race to his grandfather, who passed away in the spring of 2026 after living with Alzheimer’s disease, a journey that Yahoo Sports reports has highlighted the profound impact the condition has on entire family units, not just the individual patient.

For those who follow Gillaspia’s digital footprint, the transition from sourdough starters to 26.2 miles might seem like a leap. But the marathon is the culmination of a series of personal crises that forced a total recalibration of his life. It is a story of physical fragility turning into a public platform for resilience, showing how a niche interest in baking can evolve into a civic effort to fund research for one of the most devastating neurological diseases of our time.

From kidney failure to the Big Apple

The drive to pursue the marathon didn’t start with a training plan, but with a medical emergency. Gillaspia describes a terrifying period where an allergy to penicillin led to kidney failure. He recalls the experience as “really, really scary stuff,” a moment of clarity that made him realize he had never truly “spread his wings.”

Influencer Crust by Carson runs NYC Marathon for Alzheimer's Association
Photo: newsminimalist.com

That realization sparked a radical change in geography and mindset. Despite having a close-knit family in Houston, Gillaspia moved to New York City knowing only one person. The move was a deliberate attempt to find independence and prove he could navigate the world on his own terms. It was a gamble on self-reliance that set the stage for his eventual rise as a content creator.

Overcoming the torn meniscus

Gillaspia’s ascent on social media wasn’t a straight line; it was a recovery process. While he had already built an audience sharing his passion for sourdough—a craft he learned from his mother, who once earned him the nickname “Betty Crocker”—his reach expanded when he began documenting his struggle with a torn meniscus. The injury sidelined his initial marathon training and forced him to confront the frustration of physical limitation.

Rather than hiding the setback, he shared the recovery process online. He noted that the experience reminded him of what it feels like to move his body and taught him not to take that basic ability for granted. This vulnerability resonated with a wider audience, bridging the gap between the comforting world of baking and the grueling discipline of distance running.

The family toll of Alzheimer’s

While the physical challenges of kidney failure and knee injuries provided the momentum, the emotional catalyst for the NYC Marathon is familial. The loss of his grandfather earlier this year brought the reality of Alzheimer’s into sharp focus. Gillaspia has been vocal about the fact that the disease doesn’t just affect the patient; it ripples through the entire family, altering dynamics and creating a unique kind of grief.

By leveraging his platform, Gillaspia is attempting to turn a private family tragedy into a public resource. He has found that sharing these experiences connects him with thousands of others facing similar battles, offering a sense of community to those who often feel isolated by the nature of the disease.

“It’s been really nice to be able to share with other people that they’re not alone,” Gillaspia said.

The logistics of Marathon Sunday

The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon arrives this Sunday, November 1. For those looking to follow Gillaspia and the rest of the field, the event will have extensive broadcast coverage. Pre-race programming begins at 7:00 a.m. on Channel 7, with live coverage of the race starting at 8:00 a.m. on both Channel 7 and ESPN2.

The event represents more than just a race for Gillaspia; it is a convergence of his personal history—from the kitchens of Houston to the hospitals of his youth and finally to the streets of New York. He remains grounded by the community that has grown around his passions, describing the support as “unbelievable.”

As the race approaches, the focus shifts from the digital screen to the pavement. The question remains how much the visibility of influencers like Gillaspia can raise money and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association.

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