Celebrating and honoring the accomplishments of Erika Avallone (BC ‘26) and Valerie Hsieh (GSAS ‘25) for completing the 2024 NYC Marathon!

The first Sunday of every November, runners and spectators from around New York City, the country, and the world gather in the five boroughs to cheer on all the runners in the NYC Marathon. The 26.2 mile course starts in Staten Island, where the runners cross the Verrazano Bridge for miles one to two, where they enter Brooklyn. Across Brooklyn and Queens, the runners run miles two to 15. As they head over the Queensboro Bridge, known as the “quiet mile,” into Manhattan, they are met with thunderous crowds on First Avenue on their way into the Bronx. After miles 20 to 21 in the Bronx, the runners cross back into Harlem and down 5th Avenue until they reach Central Park, where they complete their last 5 kilometers. 

While many students like myself were watching the race on the sidelines, potentially cheering for family, friends, and celebrities we knew running the race, there were members of our own Columbia University and Barnard College community participating in this exciting event. Two members of our student body, Erika Avallone (BC ’26) and Valerie Hsieh (GSAS ‘25), both put on their running shoes early Sunday morning and competed in a race that less than one percent of people complete in their lifetime. Inspired by their fight, grit, and determination starting from their training to when they finished the race, I decided to ask them questions regarding the marathon and their experience. 

Erika Avallone (BC ‘26)

Is this your first marathon? If not, how many have you run? 

Yes, this is my first! But I’ve done a bunch of half marathons. 

Do you have a history of running, and when did you pick up running? 

I’ve been running since my freshman year of high school, but got super into the sport when my mom got me a NYRR membership for my 16th birthday. I got injured once the summer before my sophomore year (2023), in April of 2024, and then a bit again in October. Those three injuries were the only times I’ve ever taken a break from consistent, six days a week, running; however, I think those forced breaks made me remember why I love to run instead of obsessive goals over pace and mileage. 

How did you train, and how long did you train for?

I had a stress fracture for all of May and part of June, so my training plan included a lot of cross-training (biking 90 minutes a day, six days a week). In July, I started to do running again– doing four days of biking and two days of running and gradually increasing the days spent running. I did two 16-milers (my longest runs, because of injury), but on my second one, I got really bad tendonitis all around my left ankle and could barely turn it. So then I did four weeks of elliptical for about 80 to 150 minutes, six days a week. Then, I brought back running five days a week with one day elliptical, and my last two long runs were 15 miles and 12 miles. I just focused on one mile at a time, really settling into a different mental space for each mile. I also love the rhythm of my lungs and heart on fall runs, so just remembering that I find joy in this activity helps pass the miles. Running in Central Park is beautiful, and Riverside Park has tons of cute dogs. I was nervous because I had only gone 16 miles as my longest run, but I also know myself; my mental focus from the elliptical, staring at a wall for two-plus hours, and unconditional love for running could pull me through the last 10 miles.

What was your favorite borough to run through, and which mile had the best crowd?

I loved Brooklyn!!!! I think around mile 13, I saw Logan Aldridge of Peloton, and we chatted a bit, so that was a rush of adrenaline. Throughout my injury rehabs, I used his core workouts three times a week, so it was a pretty cool moment to meet and run with him (even for two minutes). He gave me a high five, so I felt like I could do anything.

Did the race go better or worse than you expected, and why?

I dropped all of my salt tabs at mile 6 and didn’t notice till mile 12, so I had massive cramping the last ten miles; that wasn’t fun, but other than that, my body felt as relaxed as it could! The only part that really sucked was the Willis Avenue Bridge and Fifth Avenue incline (running into the sun, legs cramping, and my stomach felt like a rock). I was so happy that my tendonitis didn’t act up for this run, and I was able to run smart and steady. I didn’t want to go too fast at certain sections (save up for intense hills), because I was nervous from my recent injuries and lost some fuel; I prioritized fun along the course and finished strong!!! 

What inspired you to run the marathon for the first time? 

I was supposed to run NY last year but had to defer for personal reasons. Then, I got a stress fracture, which brought up a slew of past health issues; the summer training was less about running and more about recovery and underlying conditions. I wanted to run to experience a hard thing, but for joy. My mom has done the NY marathon five times, and so running is something we share. I wanted to run the marathon to know that feeling she always talks about, remembering the times she finished. 

Were there any memorable moments from the run (with another runner, seeing friends/family, etc.)?

To be honest, Logan Aldridge was a big one! Other than that, I saw my mom at mile 19, right before Willis Avenue Bridge, and she gave me a big boost of energy. Also, some girl yelled at me in Central Park, “Go Erika!! And she spells it with a ‘K’!!!!” – and something about that gave me a push.

Was there a favorite sign you saw?

I loved all the Mario Kart ones, and I hit a bunch that said, “Punch me for a boost!” 

How did it feel to cross the finish line?

Reaching the finish was validation that despite all my injuries and health issues, I can still have fun doing a hard thing. The race is really about meeting yourself where you are in that moment and seeing each mile with honesty and appreciation. Also, finishing with an official 3:47:46 (unofficial 3:44:00 because I ran a bit over) first-time marathon on a hilly and windy course, post-injury, made me feel pretty great. I just wanted to hug my mom, because she is a big reason why I got here. 

How did you celebrate your accomplishment? 

A McDonald’s Diet Coke.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to run the NYC marathon?

Don’t think about time!!!!! There were so many moments where I actually lost count of the miles or couldn’t hear my music because the crowds were so loud. This marathon is more of an experience than a pressure to get a PR (personal record), and you never know if you’re going to get to live it again. Also, everyone’s process is different, running gear is personal, and each person’s goal is a reflective culmination of their specific training. Please do not compare; you will regret it. Also, run hard, but recover harder. 

Do you have any future running goals?

I’m racing the Brooklyn Half in May!! And, if stars align and the universe does me a solid, I will get in for the United Airlines Half.

VALERIE HSIEH (CU GSAS ‘25)

Is this your first marathon? If not, how many have you run?

This was my 5th marathon and my second time running the New York City Marathon.

Do you have a history of running, and when did you pick up running? 

I have been a casual runner since college, and I always ran as a means of conditioning for other sports, but I didn’t get serious about marathoning until earlier this year. I ran my first marathon in October 2023 and have since run five total marathons!

How did you train, and how long did you train for? 

I spent 16 weeks following a training plan for the Berlin marathon, which I ran at the end of September. There were five weeks between the Berlin and New York marathons, which I spent going on long runs in the park, running along the bridges that are on the New York marathon route, and visualizing the finish and other parts that I knew would be the toughest to get through.

What was your favorite borough to run through, and which mile had the best crowd?

Brooklyn around miles eight and nine are always super high energy, and it really feels like the whole borough comes out to cheer. That being said, I love every part of Manhattan, from the moment you step off of the Queensborough Bridge all the way to the finish. Coming into Central Park around mile 23 will never not be special—the crowds all the way down Fifth Ave, into the park, and down 59th Street really carry you through the last few miles of the race when everything is hurting and you just can’t wait for the race to be over.

Did the race go better or worse than you expected, and why?

The race went way better than I expected! I knew the bridges would be tough and the uphill on Fifth Ave near the end of the race was as challenging as I remembered, but the perfect weather and the energy of the crowds made the race fly by faster than I expected.

What inspired you to run the marathon for the first time or again? 

I ran New York for the first time last year after volunteering at the finish line in 2022 and being so inspired by the runners! I ran it again this year because I loved the crowds and seeing all of my friends along the course, and I really wanted to improve upon my time from last year, which I did by one hour and 19 minutes. 

Were there any memorable moments from the run (with another runner, seeing friends/family, etc.)?

Every time I saw a friend along the course, it was such a fun moment! There are so many spectators that I’m scared I’ll miss catching my friends who are out cheering, so this year I wrote on my arm all the names of friends I was hoping to see along the course and the miles they would be at. It was particularly special to see the Baewatch frisbee team cheering for me on Fifth Avenue—I was feeling extremely tired at that point, and seeing them gave me just enough energy to push through those final miles to the finish.

Was there a favorite sign you saw? 

I loved seeing all the Charli XCX/brat posters (e.g., “26.2 runner girl bumpin’ that,” “you’re so brat”) and the ones about running faster than the MTA. 

How did it feel to cross the finish line?

Crossing the finish line was a mixture of elation and exhaustion, relief and gratitude, and just a twinge of sadness that it was over. I was also a little bit stressed because my phone had died and I couldn’t find any of my friends immediately after the race.

How did you celebrate your accomplishment?

I took a hot shower, ate a ton of food, and met up with other friends who had also run the marathon. I also got my medal engraved with my finish time!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to run the NYC marathon? 

Enjoy all the events leading up to the race, enjoy every second of the marathon itself, and enjoy all of the celebrations afterwards. The energy of New York City during marathon weekend is truly unmatched, and it truly feels like such a party through all five boroughs.

Do you have any future running goals? 

I’d like to run a marathon in under 3 hours within the next year. I have a lot of other big goals in mind, but I guess we’ll see where the future takes me!

Both Erika and Valerie accomplished something over the weekend that some of us dream to do, while others are happy to remain as spectators. Regardless, if you see either of them on campus or know of someone in our community who participated this past weekend, give them a round of applause because they deserve to know how proud of themselves they should be. And who knows, maybe you’ll be running the NYC Marathon next year!

Header image via Bwarchives

Erika image via Author