{"id":27783,"date":"2025-11-04T03:08:32","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T03:08:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/27783\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T03:08:32","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T03:08:32","slug":"marathon-runners-celebrate-bronx-medal-monday-bronx-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/27783\/","title":{"rendered":"Marathon runners celebrate Bronx Medal Monday \u2013 Bronx Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Silvana Cruz (left) and Fredy Gonzalez (right) both overcame major obstacles and ran in the New York City Marathon on Nov. 2 and another marathon in Virginia earlier that week. <\/p>\n

Photo by Emily Swanson <\/p>\n

The day after a record-setting New York City Marathon, runners from the Bronx and beyond celebrated and recharged at the annual Bronx Medal Monday<\/a> event, held this year at the Andrew Freedman Home.<\/p>\n

The event featured food and drinks from Bronx-based vendors, medal engraving, yoga, massages, portraits, a DJ and more.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Headley Duncan, co-founder of the event, said turnout appeared to be lower than last year\u2019s 400 but included many representatives from the borough\u2019s 16 established running clubs \u2014 about 900 of whom ran this year\u2019s marathon, he said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t be happier. We made it happen,\u201d said Duncan, adding some advice for others who plan major events: \u201cIt\u2019s all women. Women make things happen.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Photographer Alex Rivera, aka The Bronxer, took photos of marathon participants at Bronx Medal Monday on Nov. 3, 2025. Photo by Emily Swanson<\/p>\n

Ismelvin Vargas of Rhode Island said this year\u2019s New York City Marathon was his first after running several other races throughout the city.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Vargas said he enjoyed the marathon, which he said was a great \u201cresilience\u201d route. \u201cIt looks flat, but it\u2019s really not,\u201d he said.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Now, with his first time under his belt, Vargas said he was already looking to the future. \u201cI felt like it was not gonna be my last New York City Marathon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Bronx artist Ayana Ayo created this art piece for those who completed the full 26.2 miles. Photo by Emily Swanson<\/p>\n

Friends Fredy Gonzalez, 60, and Silvana Cruz, 50, both attended Bronx Medal Monday and sported medals from not only the New York City Marathon but also the Marine Corps Marathon, held Oct. 26 in Arlington, Virginia.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The fact that they both ran two marathons in one week is remarkable \u2014 and possibly a bit insane, they admitted.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Even more remarkable is the fact that Gonzalez had open-heart surgery in January, and Silva ran on a torn meniscus that requires surgery.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\u201cRunners are not the smartest people,\u201d said Silva. She also spoke to the Bronx Times at last year\u2019s <\/a>event, when she had completed three marathons within a few months.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Gonzalez, who lives in Co-op City, said he had always been athletic but was never a runner until 2016. A friend who loved running developed cancer, and when she felt well enough to run again, Gonzalez accompanied her as a running buddy. \u201cShe took me to one 5K in Queens, and that was it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Gonzalez and Cruz, both members of the Boogie Down Bronx Runners<\/a>, said that in some ways, their running family is closer than their actual family.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThey know the torture of training. They know what it\u2019s like preparing for a race,\u201d Cruz said.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Both spoke to the mental benefits of running. During long races, especially the tough sections, Gonzalez and Cruz said they use the time to think, pray and even speak to loved ones who have passed on.<\/p>\n

At Medal Monday, Gonzalez got his medal engraved with the words, \u201cIn memory of Mom 10\/7\/2025,\u201d as she died just weeks ago. Throughout the race, when things got difficult, he said he spoke to her: \u201cMom, get me through this. Now you have to help me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cruz said running has become a form of therapy for her. \u201cYou realize how much stronger you are than what you think you are,\u201d she said. \u201cBy the time you finish running, you work out the problems you had.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Reach Emily Swanson at\u00a0eswanson@schnepsmedia.com<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0(646) 717-0015<\/a>. For more coverage, subscribe to our\u00a0newsletter<\/a>\u00a0and follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>!<\/p>\n

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