About FredsTeamMark

A proud sub-group of Fred's Team — the official charity running team of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. We run the TCS New York City Marathon each November to fund the research that saves lives.

FredsTeamMark founders crossing the NYC Marathon finish line together
$500K+
Total Raised
Our Mission

Running for a Cure

FredsTeamMark is a sub-group of Fred's Team, the official charity running team of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). We compete in the TCS New York City Marathon each November, raising funds that directly support MSK's world-renowned cancer research programs.

Our team was founded in 2018 when our namesake, Mark Kourey, ran as an individual while in treatment at MSK. Inspired by the Fred Lebow story, Mark raised over $6,000 alone. In 2019, Mark was joined by Tom Walsh, Jason Asher, Jon Hoefer, Jason Hunter, Mark Peterson, and Steve Rowe — 7 friends united by their belief in MSK's mission.

Since our founding, we have grown from a small group of 7 runners to a community of 100+ athletes across the country. Together, we have raised over $500k for life-saving cancer research.

  • ✓ 100% of fundraising goes directly to MSK research
  • ✓ Guaranteed marathon entry for qualifying fundraisers
  • ✓ A supportive community of runners and cause champions
Our Journey

How We Got Here

From a first-time team of seven to one of Fred's Team's top fundraising sub-groups — here's the story of FredsTeamMark.

2018

The Inspiration

Mark Kourey ran as an individual while in treatment at MSK. Learning the story of Fred Lebow — who ran the NYC Marathon while in treatment and asked how he could give back — Mark did the same and raised over $6,000 alone. He proved that one person's determination can make a profound difference.

1 Runner  ·  $6,075 Raised
2019

The Beginning

Mark Kourey, Jason Asher, Jon Hoefer, Jason Hunter, Mark Peterson, Steve Rowe, and Tom Walsh ran the NYC Marathon together — for some, it was their first ever marathon. Seven friends raised over $38,000 and FredsTeamMark was officially born.

7 Runners  ·  $38,098 Raised
2020

Pivoting Through Covid

The NYC Marathon was cancelled, but our team stayed together, raising money virtually and keeping the mission alive. A small but determined group showed that FredsTeamMark wasn't defined by race day alone.

Virtual Year
2021

Back on the Road

Returned to NYC with 3 runners and raised over $22,000 despite a scaled-back race format. The team was back in action.

3 Runners  ·  $22,607 Raised
2022

Growing Strong

Realizing that more runners means more money to cure cancer, we recruited outside of our original group. With 19 runners we were just shy of $100k when the race started — and finished with over $103k. New members, new energy, new records. FredsTeamMark established itself as a serious fundraising force. And for speed, team member Zach Herriott won the amateur division in 2:29, finishing 36th overall.

19 Runners  ·  $103,444 Raised
2023

We Got This for Mark

We lost Mark Kourey this year to cancer — the very disease we run to defeat. That loss made us even more dedicated. 28 runners honored Mark's memory by raising over $156,000, making us a top-3 sub-group in all of Fred's Team. Zach Herriott again won the amateur division, finishing in 2:27 and 31st place overall.

In Memory of Mark Kourey

28 Runners  ·  $156,128 Raised
2024

Staying Strong

22 runners raised over $127,000. Solidly a top-10 sub-group in Fred's Team and proving that FredsTeamMark is here to stay.

22 Runners  ·  $127,607 Raised
2025

Small but Mighty

With only 16 runners, the $100k mark seemed out of sight. We topped it with over $103k and increased our individual average by almost $1,000 each — a testament to the dedication of every runner on the team.

16 Runners  ·  $103,429 Raised
The Bigger Picture

Part of Something Special: Fred's Team

Fred's Team is the official charity running program of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — one of the world's premier cancer research and treatment institutions. Named in honor of Fred Lebow, the legendary founder of the New York City Marathon who received life-changing treatment at MSK, the program connects runners with a cause far greater than the finish line.

Each year, Fred's Team runners raise millions of dollars that directly fund MSK's groundbreaking research — research that is turning the tide against cancer for patients and families around the world. As a proud sub-group, FredsTeamMark is honored to be part of this tradition and this community.

Visit fredsteam.org ↗
Fred's Team runners celebrating at the NYC Marathon finish line
Our People

Our Founders

FredsTeamMark was built by Mark Kourey and six friends united by their belief in MSK's mission and the power of running. Meet the people who started it all.

Mark Kourey
Mark Kourey
Namesake & Founding Inspiration
In Our Hearts  ·  Ran 2018–2019
2018–2019
In Memoriam

Mark passed away in 2023. Every mile we run is in his memory.

Tom Walsh
Tom Walsh
Team Captain & Co-Founder
San Diego, CA  ·  Running since 2019
2019–Present
Jason Asher
Jason Asher
Co-Founder
New York, NY  ·  Running since 2019
2019–Present
Jon Hoefer
Jon Hoefer
Co-Founder
St. Petersburg, FL  ·  Running since 2019
2019–Present
Jason Hunter
Jason Hunter
Co-Founder
Orange, NJ  ·  Running since 2019
2019–Present
Mark Peterson
Mark Peterson
Co-Founder
Seattle, WA  ·  Running since 2019
2019–Present
Steve Rowe
Steve Rowe
Co-Founder
New York, NY  ·  Running since 2019
2019–Present
What Drives Us

Our Values

Three principles guide everything we do — on the roads, at the finish line, and in the work of raising funds for MSK.

💙

Purpose

We run with meaning. Every mile represents hope for the thousands of patients and families touched by cancer.

🤝

Community

We build real relationships — on training runs, at team dinners, and at mile 17 of the marathon.

🏅

Excellence

We hold ourselves to a high standard — in our fundraising, our training, and our commitment to MSK's mission.

Ready to Be Part of Our Story?

Join a growing community of runners making a real difference for cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Every runner, every dollar, every mile matters.

Join the 2026 Team Make a Donation