A dozen ABC News anchors and correspondents to run TCS New York City Marathon course in support of the next generation of runners
New York, September 20, 2023 – Robin Roberts and David Muir will headline an ABC News Relay Supporting NYRR Team for Kids at this year’s TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 5, when a dozen ABC News anchors, reporters, and executives will run in support of the next generation of runners.
Team for Kids is the premier charity of New York Road Runners (NYRR), which has raised more than $100 million in support of NYRR’s free youth and community programs since the charity’s inception in 2002. For more than 20 years, dedicated Team for Kids runners have put purpose behind their miles by fundraising for NYRR programming that supports thousands of people of all ages and abilities in New York City and nationwide.
Twelve members of ABC News will split the 26.2-mile tour of New York City’s five boroughs on marathon Sunday, beginning at the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in Staten Island, continuing through the neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens, and up through Manhattan and into the Bronx before finishing in the iconic Central Park. Each member of the relay will run two to three miles.
Relay participants in order of appearance will include: “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts, “20/20” contributing anchor Deborah Roberts, correspondent Will Reeve, chief business, technology and economics correspondent Rebecca Jarvis, “Nightline” co-anchor Byron Pitts, president Kim Godwin, “Nightline” co-anchor Juju Chang, “Good Morning America” weekend co-anchor and “World News Tonight” Saturday anchor Whit Johnson, ABC News Live “Prime” anchor and “World News Tonight” Sunday anchor Linsey Davis, “GMA3: What You Need to Know” co-anchor DeMarco Morgan, “This Week” co-anchor and chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl, and “World News Tonight” anchor David Muir.
“On a daily basis, we work together as a news team, so it comes naturally to run the marathon as a relay, passing a literal baton and doing it for the benefit of the youth in our community,” said Davis, ABC News Live “Prime” anchor. “There is nothing like running through the streets of New York, seeing the people come together and hearing them cheer for total strangers. It is a great feeling that is enhanced by the knowledge that it all benefits a great cause.”
“This marathon is particularly meaningful for me as I will be running with my daughter Emily along with my ABC News family,” said Karl, chief Washington correspondent and “This Week” co-anchor. “We are looking forward to supporting a wonderful charity that benefits students across the country.”
Team for Kids has helped expand the impact of Rising New York Road Runners, NYRR’s flagship free youth program that serves over 137,000 kids nationwide. Rising New York Road Runners helps kids develop the ability, confidence, and desire to be physically active for life. NYRR’s youth program started in 1999 with 12 participants at a single school in Red Hook, Brooklyn. There are now more than 800 Rising New York Road Runners sites across the country, and about 60,000 youth participants are in New York City, many of whom attend Title 1 schools with the most need.
“We are thrilled to partner with my former colleagues at ABC News in support of the next generation of runners,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of NYRR. “Having some of the most established anchors and correspondents from ABC News running in support of NYRR Team for Kids will shine a light on the importance of keeping kids active for both their mental and physical well-being.”
In addition to Rising New York Road Runners, Team for Kids supports NYRR’s slate of free community programs for New Yorkers:
Run for the Future – Seven-week program introducing high school junior and senior young women to running and wellness through practices, panels, workshops, and educational sessions.
NYRR Youth Ambassadors – Six-week public-speaking and speech workshop for students in grades 4-12.
NYRR Striders – Walking and fitness program for older adults who are looking to start or continue their fitness journey.
NYRR Open Run – Weekly, fun community runs and walks in neighborhood parks that are open to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
NYRR Race Free – NYRR offers 100 complimentary race entries to its weekly races and the TCS New York City Marathon, providing race fee assistance to increase community access to running.
The 2023 TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 5 will have 50,000 runners and be televised live on WABC-TV Channel 7 in the New York tristate area, throughout the rest of the nation on ESPN2, and around the world by various international broadcasters.
About New York Road Runners (NYRR)
NYRR’s mission is to help and inspire people through running. Since 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization. NYRR’s commitment to New York City’s five boroughs features races, virtual races, community events, free youth running initiatives and school programs, the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub, and training resources that provide hundreds of thousands of people each year with the motivation, know-how, and opportunity to Run for Life. NYRR’s premier event is the TCS New York City Marathon. Held annually on the first Sunday in November, the race features a wide population of runners, from the world’s top professional athletes to a vast range of competitive, recreational, and charity runners. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.
About ABC News
ABC News is America’s No. 1 news source, providing straightforward, fact-driven journalism across broadcast, streaming, digital and audio. ABC’s award-winning programs include “Good Morning America,” “World News Tonight with David Muir,” “Nightline,” “20/20,” “This Week with George Stephanopoulos,” “GMA3: What You Need to Know,” and “The View.” Platforms include ABC News Live, the network’s 24/7 streaming channel; ABC News Studios, a premium, narrative nonfiction original production house; ABC News Digital, comprised of a diverse audience of more than 53 million monthly average users; ABC Audio, the premier source for radio news and industry-leading podcasts; FiveThirtyEight, renowned data journalism organization; and NewsOne, the affiliate news service. Based in New York City, ABC News is comprised of three U.S. bureaus and eight international bureaus, with a presence in more than 20 countries around the world.
