Event Overview

Now in its eighth year, the Run As One event in New York City has become an annual "rite of spring" for thousands of runners and has grown to become a favorite cause race among runners and walkers alike. As a qualifying event for the ING NYC Marathon, the "Run As One" is much more than a cause race, attracting elite runners as well as recreational enthusiasts. Each year, our event has increased in size, with as many as 10,000 runners and walkers registering to participate in 2009

Event History

 In September of 2000, Thomas G. Labrecque, former chairman and CEO of Chase Manhattan Bank, was diagnosed with lung cancer and died eight weeks later. Tom never smoked and was in good health prior to his diagnosis. Following his death, Tom Labrecque’s family and friends decided to create an annual event that would not only bring together many different groups of people to promote the awareness of lung cancer, but ensure anyone could afford to attend and run.

Relying on the expert advice from New York Road Runners, the Labrecque family decided that a 4-mile run on a mostly flat, fast course through Central Park would be an easy run for anyone to do. Each year, the Foundation has offered cash prizes for overall finishers as well as for top finishers in each age category to attract elite runners. The event also includes a walk so that families and people of all ages can enjoy the event together. Ultimately, the Run As One is an event that the whole family can travel to together and participate in as a fun weekend outing in Manhattan’s beautiful Central Park.

Much more than a running event, the Run as One also includes a post-race event and health fair at Rumsey Playfield after the race that offers food, music, children’s activities and an awards ceremony for the top finishers. The health fair showcases several lung cancer foundations, each with staff on hand to answer people’s questions about lung cancer and help inform them of the different programs available to patients and families affected by this disease.