Joseph Bernardo
Runner in 2024
I just wanted to take a moment and introduce myself to you and eventually the team! My name is Joe Bernardo and this will be my first year running with Fred's Team/Team Mark and my first marathon. I've been running consistently for ~ 2-3 years and prior to that I actually hated running, but I picked it up during the pandemic as another form of exercise and as a way to get outside. Before I knew it I was hooked and I've ran several races since, including a 10K and a half-marathon. I came across Fred's team from my good friend Christian Verreault, as he and his brother Matt had run the marathon with your team twice. My motivation for participating this year is a deeply personal one, as I lost my beloved mother to AML Leukemia in 2017. I was her bone marrow donor twice, but unfortunately it wasn't enough to save her and her loss is something that still deeply impacts me almost 7 years later. She is and always has been my greatest motivating force and I've striven to emulate the way she lived her life, by putting others before myself and cherishing the companionship of those who matter most. I knew that I needed to run in this year's NYC marathon when I realized that it fell on the 7th anniversary of her passing, November 3rd. It was as if she was telling me that this was my next challenge to tackle in life and that she would be with me every step of the way. I am extremely motivated to participate in this race and I am honored to be able to honor my mother, as well as all those who have been impacted by cancer. I look forward to connecting with you and the team.