26.2 Miles with Meaning: Riley Rone's Legacy

Hi!! For those who know me — hey again! And for those who don’t, I’m Maddy Brew. I’m a Senior Associate at The Next Solutions Group, working in communications, corporate reputation, and business intel. Outside of that, you’ll 100% find me going for walks, out with friends, or third wheeling my parents’ date nights.

This fall, I’ll be running the Marine Corps Marathon in D.C. (because finishing the Brooklyn Half with zero training wasn’t chaotic enough) Now, I’m ready to take on something bigger than myself. Naturally — where all my insane ideas come from, I said “let’s make it a double.”

During my time at Iona University, the school and my sorority, Psi Kappa Theta (ain’t nothin’ greataaa), gave me countless opportunities to grow, give back, and connect with others. So when I started thinking about who or what I wanted to run for, the choice was clear.

I’m incredibly proud to be running on behalf of the Hugh Riley Rone Scholarship Fund, founded in memory of Riley Rone, who was tragically taken too soon in a motorcycle accident at the young age of 19. The Rone family has created something truly special in his memory, and I’m honored I can play a small part in continuing his legacy.

In just eight years, the fund has awarded scholarships to 40 local student athletes or first responders in training and raised over $300,000 to support their college journeys, as well as trade school or military paths. They also host the annual Riley’s Touch-A-Truck event in South Amboy, NJ — giving kids the chance to explore police cars, fire trucks, and more, find them on Facebook @ Riley's Touch a Truck. Every dollar from that event goes directly to the scholarship fund in hopes of bettering these students' future endeavors.

✨Here’s where you come in✨ I’ve set a fundraising goal of $5,000. Every single dollar helps, and I would love your support - whether it’s a donation, sharing the link, cheering me on, reminding me to stretch, or just telling me I'm pretty when I run!!

Thank you everyone!