Written By Kevin Enners
The air buzzed with excitement as the first rays of sunlight reached the streets of New York City. Amid the 50,000 runners surging forward was a small contingent of athletes donning The Kyle Pease Foundation’s branding with pride.
They could not be missed as they ran at a brisk pace. With KPF Teammate Eric Rusiecki’s feet echoing behind her and his pink unicorn hat playing with the breeze, KPF Athlete Seirra Bennett had a front-row seat to the awesome sight of thousands of runners and the invigorating cheers of spectators.
“Running together brings out the best in us,” Seirra said. “Knowing that I'm part of a larger community of athletes who share a passion for running is truly exhilarating.”
Eric jokes that Seirra is the brains behind their operation, saying, “She’s way smarter than me, so she ensures everything goes smoothly — I’m just along for the ride!” The pair had spent months meticulously planning every detail of the race, from pacing strategies to matching outfits. The key to their success lies in their shared focus and camaraderie. “It’s easy when we all align on one goal: finishing while having the most fun!”
Seirra and Eric participated in this year’s TCS New York City Marathon, thanks to the generosity of our partners at Silverton Mortgage. They were joined by an incredible team of a KPF Ambassador, Jared King, and seven Race Team Members: Evan Pease, Meg Weigel, Max and Linda Levy, Heather Bongers, Jackie Giles, and Erika Brookes.
Together, this year’s KPF team raised over $28,000 to support The Kyle Pease Foundation’s mission of empowering athletes with disabilities. These funds will help provide adaptive sports equipment, cover race entry fees, offer travel accommodations for athletes and their families, and fuel initiatives like KPF’s Inclusive Employment Program.
Meg Weigel couldn’t wait to experience the energy of the crowd. Meg remarked that there is something “uniquely American” about The Big Apple.
While running for KPF, Meg has spread awareness about the foundation in her community. Privileged to share Kyle and Brent's inspiring story and their mission to boost inclusivity in sports and beyond, Meg embraced the challenge stating, “I’m honored to be here and feel a small part of this incredible movement.”
Evan Pease shared his enthusiasm for representing his brother’s nonprofit. As a steadfast supporter of KPF, Evan is focused not only on raising money and awareness for inclusion, but on finishing the marathon having had a fun experience and feeling “a sense of joy and pride at the end (versus pain)!”
For aspiring athletes, regardless of ability, Seirra acknowledges that the first step is often the hardest, as it requires putting oneself out there. “Don’t be afraid to seek support,” Seirra says. “Remember that every step forward is progress. Celebrate each milestone along the way. It’s all part of the journey.”
As Seirra and Eric crossed the finish line together, the crowd erupted in cheers. 'We did it!' Eric exclaimed their smiles a testament to months of preparation and the power of teamwork. Upon finishing The TCS New York City Marathon, KPF’s entire race team took another step forward in the journey to make sports more inclusive for all.
