Team Catholic Charities Raises Record $135,000 at 2026 NYC Marathon

A Record-Breaking $135,000 Raised at the 2026 NYC Marathon

On the morning of November 1, 2026, the streets of Staten Island saw more than 61,500 athletes line up for the start of the TCS New York City Marathon. Among the thousands of runners racing through the city’s five boroughs, a focused group of 22 participants known as Team Catholic Charities crossed the finish line with more than just a medal. By the end of the day, the team had secured a record-breaking $135,000 in fundraising, a total dedicated to supporting the essential services provided by Catholic Charities of New York.

The 26.2-mile course is widely regarded as a grueling test of endurance, characterized by its deceptive inclines and technical shifts. This year, the challenge was compounded by warmer-than-average weather that tested the resolve of every runner on the pavement. For the members of Team Catholic Charities, however, the physical strain was secondary to the mission of providing aid to the city’s most vulnerable populations.

From the Pavement to the Parish

The team’s roster reflected a cross-section of the community, ranging from first-time marathoners to members of the clergy. Anabella Maria Galang, a member of the Catholic Charities of New York Junior Board, completed her first marathon this year. She noted that the event serves as a unique intersection of personal achievement and civic responsibility.

The New York City Marathon brings out the best of New Yorkers, and it is incredibly meaningful to be able to support our neighbors in need while participating in this celebration of humanity.

The commitment to the cause extended to the religious leadership of the city. Seán M Connolly, a priest from the Parish of St. Margaret of Cortona – St. Gabriel in Riverdale, participated in the run after delivering a homily at St. Patrick’s Cathedral the night before. For Seán M Connolly, the race was an extension of his ministry, with each of the 26 miles offered as a prayer for those supporting the organization’s mission.

Similarly, Jonathan Pham, a seminarian at St. Joseph’s School in Bronxville, viewed his athletic effort through a theological lens. He emphasized the importance of the organization’s work in addressing the immediate needs of New Yorkers, including those facing food insecurity, homelessness, and the challenges of unemployment.

The Human Stakes of the Fundraising Effort

The $135,000 raised by the 2026 team is more than a statistical milestone; it represents a functional influx of capital for an organization that addresses systemic instability. Catholic Charities of New York manages a broad portfolio of social services, and these funds are earmarked for critical support systems, including the provision of Thanksgiving meals for families currently experiencing hardship.

J. Antonio Fernández, the CEO of Catholic Charities of New York, praised the team’s accomplishment, acknowledging that the funds will be directed toward the most pressing needs of the community. The organization, which provides comprehensive support services across the Archdiocese of New York, relies on such grassroots fundraising to bridge the gap between available resources and the high demand for aid in the city.

The Girard sisters—Jordan and Taylor—who ran for the team this year, expressed that their participation was a way to combine their love for the sport with a commitment to serving others with compassion and dignity.

As the city looks toward the 2027 race, the organization continues to invite runners to join the effort to support those in need. Those interested in participating in the upcoming season can reach out to the organization’s dedicated fundraising coordinator at [email protected].