One of our charity runners had to drop out at the last moment. With entries system literally hours from closing, and no time to replace them, I decided to step in myself. So… here I am. Running, jogging, or in the words of my running partner, Waddling, the NYRR United Airlines NYC Half on March 15th, 2026 from Brooklyn over to Manhattan.

Many moons ago I won NYRR Half marathons in Brooklyn and in Manhattan, but this time I am not running with any aim of speed, I am shuffling along to try and find a finishing line; it has been 13 months since I last ran a single step further than 4 miles.

My goal is simple: raise $1,000 — with $20 donations. I know my friends are generous people and are constantly being asked to give. So instead of burdening a big ask, I’m keeping it small: $20. That’s about the price of two Venti iced coffees at Starbucks. But that is about 100 stones for construction here in Kenya.

As a fundraiser (professional beggar), I’m often reminding our team runners that small donations add up. Now it’s my turn to step up and actually prove it. Can I reach $1,000 with fifty $20 gifts? Let’s see!

And there’s more…my running partner is a “dead man.”

On July 29, 1986, he ‘died’ in a highly publicized fighter plane crash over the Pacific Ocean, off the California coast. Against all odds and science, he survived and came back to life.
Yet sadly, years later, in another highly publicized event aired on TV, he had the great misfortune to pass away again on a beach in Hawaii on May 9, 2002.  Well, miracles abound and with modern science and a hip replacement or two, he’s going to be running with me!

World Child Cancer day is Feb 15th, so this is my launch.  A beggar running with a dead man to raise awareness and build health for kids who suffer from cancer in East Africa.  It’s a $20 ask.

If you’d like to be one of my fifty, I’d be so grateful. Thank you for being part of this journey with me. 💙
Toby
PS: The picture shows the progress… we will get it done!