COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – Some friendships are built to last a lifetime, and sometimes those bonds are tested in ways never imagined.
A group of former Heathwood Hall Episcopal School classmates are preparing to run 26.2 miles through the streets of New York City. The marathon effort is not for personal records, but for a friend who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer in his 40s.
Classmates said joining the effort was an immediate decision.
“Automatic. There was no consideration for how physically demanding it was going to be,” one runner said. “We were all in with the idea.”
The idea to take on the race came from a desire to take direct action rather than worry.
“I need an action point. I’m not good at sitting around and worrying about things,” Elizabeth Grove said. “I needed a purpose and something to do about it. So running the marathon popped in my head. And when we were all together shortly thereafter for the reunion, it was easy to spread the excitement to the others.”
Competing under the name “Team Heathwood Hall’n Thru NYC,” the group is raising funds for the fight against prostate cancer.
Click or tap here to support the team.
Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.
Copyright 2026 WIS. All rights reserved.