{"id":24326,"date":"2025-10-31T17:36:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T17:36:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/24326\/"},"modified":"2025-10-31T17:36:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T17:36:08","slug":"nyc-marathon-documentary-26-2-premieres-at-upper-west-side-in-manhattan-featuring-queens-resident-joel-kaufman-qns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/24326\/","title":{"rendered":"NYC Marathon documentary \u201926.2\u2019 premieres at Upper West Side in Manhattan, featuring Queens resident Joel Kaufman \u2013 QNS"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t Search our comprehensive guide to things to do in Queens<\/a> for more local events \u2014 or submit your own<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Whether you are running or spectating the TCS New York City Marathon this Sunday, it will move you. And so will watching the new documentary, \u201c26.2.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

On Monday, Oct. 27, New York Road Runners<\/a> (NYRR) and Tribeca Membership<\/a> hosted the world premiere of \u201c26.2,\u201d a soul-stirring tribute to the TCS New York City Marathon directed by Nicolas Heller, or better known as \u201cNew York Nico<\/a>\u201d to more than 1.5 million followers on Instagram.<\/p>\n

Co-produced by NYRR studio East 89th St Productions<\/a> and m ss ng p eces<\/a>, the premiere \u201cwelcomed more than 200 guests\u201d at AMC Lincoln Square 13 in Manhattan\u2019s Upper West Side, according to a press release. An air of anticipation filled the venue as attendees arrived, eagerly waiting for what was an emotional love letter to the iconic marathon. A Q&A panel soon followed the screening, moderated by Rob Simmelkjaer, the chief executive officer of NYRR.<\/p>\n

\u201c26.2\u201d highlighted the inspirational stories of four New Yorkers \u2014 Joel Kaufman, Johnny Pye, Ladawn Jefferson and Shaquille \u201cShaq\u201d Roberts \u2014 in the lead-up to the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon. One of the featured marathoners was Bayside<\/a> resident Kaufman.<\/p>\n

\"\"(Second from right) Nicolas Heller (\u201cNew York Nico\u201d), the director of the NYC Marathon documentary \u201c26.2,\u201d and Rob Simmelkjaer (left), the CEO of New York Road Runners, posed on the red carpet with Johnny Pye (second from left), Shaquille \u201cShaq\u201d Roberts (third from left), Ladawn Jefferson (fourth from left) and Joel Kaufman (right) at the world premiere in the Upper West Side. Photo courtesy of New York Road Runners<\/p>\n

Kaufman, a retired math teacher, became a household name in the NYC running scene after completing the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon as the final official finisher in eight hours, 43 minutes and 34 seconds. The retiree was also revered for his philanthropic commitment. His fundraising endeavors have raised \u201cover $200,000 in the past ten years\u201d for Blood Cancer United<\/a> (formerly named the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society). The Queens local is looking to \u201cbreak a million in the next few years.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"The Q&A session after the world premiere of the NYC documentary \u201c26.2\u201d at the Upper West Side. Photo courtesy of New York Road Runners<\/p>\n

The Queens local felt motivated to run the TCS New York City Marathon after his friend, who was diagnosed with leukemia, wanted him to walk the historic race in her honor. Since 2015, Kaufman has been an avid marathon walker, pushing his limits one mile at a time.<\/p>\n

\"\"The featured runners of the NYC Marathon documentary \u201c26.2.\u201d (Left to right) Johnny Pye, Shaquille \u201cShaq\u201d Roberts, Ladawn Jefferson and Joel Kaufman posed on the red carpet ahead of the world premiere at the Upper West Side. Photo courtesy of New York Road Runners<\/p>\n

When asked what it meant for his story to be shared with millions of viewers, Kaufman felt honored that he would empower viewers \u201cover 60\u201d and inspire them to fundraise for the charity of their choice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always tell people that if you could walk for 10 miles, you could do a marathon,\u201d Kaufman shared.\n<\/p>\n

Recalling the selection process for \u201c26.2,\u201d Kaufman explained that the filmmakers interviewed runners in NYRR\u2019s Team Inspire<\/a>, a group of 26 runners with compelling running stories, and chose select individuals whose motivations could be best translated into the short film. The Bayside local said he tried to be \u201cas charismatic as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was fun having [Nicolas Heller] come to my house and videotape my family at breakfast, and [my buddy and I] walking at Flushing Meadows Corona Park,\u201d Kaufman said.\n<\/p>\n

For those who want to walk the TCS New York City Marathon someday, Kaufman advises raising money for a charity that speaks to them. Despite the lengthy morning itinerary, the feeling of participating in a vibrant marathon and having the city cheer you on is \u201csomething that nobody will ever take away from you,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on his upcoming marathon, Kaufman shares that crossing the finish line, receiving a finisher medal and making a difference in the world are what make him a winner. Kaufman further recalled a moment when he saw a woman at Mile 12 struggling to run the marathon, as he told her, \u201cWalk with me. I think you can finish.\u201d The Queens runner then accompanied her, allowing the runner to cross the finish line ahead of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHer finishing meant more than my finishing because I finished these before,\u201d Kaufman said.\n<\/p>\n

Heller described his motivation to film \u201c26.2,\u201d sharing that \u201cthe marathon is my favorite day in New York City.\u201d The director added that he had been documenting the city-wide occasion for \u201csix or seven years\u201d until he had the chance to film scenes at the finish line in November 2022.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou see 50,000 people crossing [the finish line] after accomplishing a year-long achievement. And the emotions that you get from their expressions are just like nothing you\u2019ve ever seen before,\u201d Heller shared. \u201cAnd you feel the energy. The past three years I\u2019ve been at the finish line, I would get these little clips of people crossing, but I don\u2019t have their story.\u201d<\/p>\n

The documentary, \u201c26.2,\u201d was an artistic endeavor for Heller to explore the stories behind the miles of marathoners. In documenting the four marathoners\u2019 extraordinary stories, Heller ensured that every borough was represented on screen, highlighting the importance of diversity in storytelling. This aspect is also demonstrated in the variety of careers among the subjects \u2014 a retired math teacher, a public defender, a police administrative aid and an elevator mechanic.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want people to be able to see themselves in these runners,\u201d Heller said.\n<\/p>\n

Relating to his mission as \u201cthe unofficial talent scout of New York City,\u201d Heller felt that it was on brand for him to showcase the city through the documentary. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing more New York than the New York City Marathon,\u201d Heller said. \u201cAnd the talent that I selected, I feel are people that you would see on my page.\u201d<\/p>\n

The overall message Heller wants to drive home with viewers of \u201c26.2\u201d is that anything is possible, whether within or beyond the lens of running. \u201cWhether you run or not, you can achieve what you set your mind to,\u201d Heller asserted. \u201cSaying that out loud sounds so clich\u00e9, but sometimes, being clich\u00e9 can be right on the nose.\u201d<\/p>\n

For those who wish to film a running-based documentary someday, the social media personality advises, \u201cJust do it.\u201d Whether or not there was interest in the film, Heller set out to share powerful stories with the world. \u201cDon\u2019t let anything come in your way,\u201d Heller said.<\/p>\n

\u201c26.2\u201d is a documentary that not only showcases the transformative sport but also the unguarded beauty of humanity. The moving picture represents emotions that all viewers, runners or not, can resonate with on a personal level \u2014 anxiety, disappointment, gratitude and triumph. The spotlight on the enduring spirit of empowerment has earned the Heller-directed film a place in cinematic history.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis movie was not necessarily just made for runners. It was just made for human beings,\u201d Heller said.\n<\/p>\n

To find out more about Heller\u2019s work, visit the link<\/a>. To learn more about NYRR\u2019s mission, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n