Meet Our 2026 Team HFNY Marathon Runners

Chloe is combining two things that are meaningful to her: a love for running and a desire to serve others through her faith. She’s deeply inspired by Hope For New York’s mission to restore dignity, provide support, and bring lasting change to vulnerable communities, and training now has a greater purpose as she shares HFNY’s mission with others.

Jeff is an Ohio native who now lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Abby (our Manager, Special Projects and Executive Support!). After running cross country and track in high school, he recently picked running back up. Running for Hope For New York is a meaningful way to share our mission of helping a wide range of New Yorkers. While serving with Don’t Walk By, Jeff shared a meal with an unhoused gentleman and saw a beautiful display of God’s love.

Jessica returned to New York City post-pandemic and began attending Redeemer Lincoln Square, where she’s now on staff. She’s also served at St. Paul’s House and The Bowery Mission. Working alongside Hope For New York in the same office, Jessica has become committed to seeking the flourishing of New York City!

Cheech was a pastor at Redeemer Downtown for nine years before pursuing a call to plant a church through the missional ground of a cafe called Ordinary People Cafe, in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. An avid supporter of Hope For New York, Cheech has volunteered with Next Step Community Church, The Bowery Mission, The Salvation Army, and Don’t Walk By. He and his wife, Christina, have two daughters.

Aidan has volunteered with St. Paul’s House, Restore NYC, and Operation Exodus since moving to New York City. Through serving, he’s come to see HFNY as a critical reason many nonprofit organizations continue to exist and serve. Hearing leaders share how they’re living in radical reliance on the Lord galvanizes his own faith! A lifelong soccer player, Aidan is now channeling his competitive energy into running, having run a few half marathons. His wife also qualified for the marathon this year, so he’s excited to run alongside her, and to raise money for the work of HFNY!

Maria rediscovered her faith through Redeemer Downtown, where she also learned about Hope For New York. She’s volunteered at The Father’s Heart Ministries, The Bowery Mission, The Salvation Army, and Don’t Walk By. Her experiences with people she’d likely never have encountered reminded her that community is something you have to build. Running the NYC marathon has become more than a lifelong dream for her; it’s now an act of service that shows how, even in a crowd of strangers, nobody is invisible.

Drew moved to the city over 10 years ago and served on staff at Redeemer Lincoln Square before beginning his current role. He started supporting Hope For New York as part of our Young Supporters Committee (now the Rising Leaders Board), and has served at Don’t Walk By, His Toy Store, St. Paul’s House, The Bowery Mission, and All Angels’ Church. Drew is the dad of two young girls and recently started running again!

Calla has experienced how running, service, and faith have grown tremendously in her life over the past year, and she’s seen God surprise her in many ways. Alongside fellow Team HFNY runner Reddy, her boyfriend, she’s listening closely to God’s calling for them, both as runners and as grad students.

Reddy recently began running bigger races alongside his girlfriend, Calla, who’s also part of Team HFNY. Through his mom, who’s an HFNY board member, Reddy’s gotten to know HFNY well, participating in events such as His Toy Store, Pitch Night, and St. Paul’s House. Reddy feels blessed to be able to run this iconic race on behalf of an organization that serves the city he was born and raised in!

Chip founded VOCA Center, a faith-based organization that equips Christians to approach their daily work with God’s wisdom and power, in 2018. As a career advisor (with an Executive Coaching Certification from Columbia University), a business consultant, and a pastor, Chip has also partnered with Hope For New York to support our nonprofit leaders. He is also the chair of New Canaan Society’s national board and the host of the Manhattan chapter.

Hansol experienced HFNY’s Coalition of Hope firsthand through our annual Community Grants Circle (CGC) program, and helped introduce our nonprofit partner Chosen NYC at Pitch Night this year! A former missionary kid, Hansol has also preached several times at The Bowery Mission, an experience that taught him to see each attendee as a unique person made in God’s image.

Sandi has been a longtime runner who joined the very first Team HFNY post-pandemic! A strong supporter of Hope For New York, Sandi is rooted in her church, Redeemer West Side. She’s also a Board member of A House on Beekman and has volunteered at The Bowery Mission with her family.

Jay is reaching a birthday milestone this year and is eager to cross the finish line at his first marathon! As a pediatrician, Jay spends his days advocating for healthy lifestyles, and he put those words into practice seven years ago by taking up daily running. He now runs four miles up to six mornings a week and has even completed a self-guided half marathon. He first learned about Hope For New York during his years attending Redeemer Presbyterian Church, and since moving out east, he’s continued supporting the organization, excited to turn a personal goal into a higher calling.

Jacob ran for Team HFNY in 2025 (and another marathon in 2015) and we’re excited to have him back this year! Jacob has been a rector at Calvary – St George’s Parish since 2017, and we’re so grateful that as of 2026 Calvary – St George’s is an official HFNY church partner! Jacob has a heart for the city and especially the Gramercy neighborhood, and we look forward to cheering him on through all five boroughs!

Matthew grew up in the Midwest but now considers New York City home, after being profoundly shaped by it. The city has given him more than he ever hoped for or imagined, and he’s eager to give back through Team HFNY. Running is his main way to recharge, stay present, and pray for his neighborhood. He has also served at The Father’s Heart Ministries. Having attended Redeemer East Side for many years, Matthew and his family now attend Wellspring Church NYC in Astoria.

John is a longtime supporter of Hope For New York who also served as the first lead pastor of the Redeemer Downtown congregation. A graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, he was appointed as Harvard Law School’s first Theologian-in-Residence where he continues to teach theology.