Meet Christian and Edisson: Two talented Colombian runners with Brooklyn connections and international marathon dreams.

We’re raising $5,000 to help bring them to the Philadelphia Marathon this November 22nd, 2026 . The goal is to strip away the barriers that come with running in Colombia, such as high altitude, intense heat, and financial challenges.

Edisson is an elite runner with a personal best of 2:19 at the Medellín Marathon (check results), currently seeking sponsorship to continue his athletic career. Christian,(@cz.runner, Strava) is a passionate runner with a personal best of 2:56 at the Cali Marathon, achieved in challenging conditions with temperatures ranging from 80–90°F.

For many Latin American athetles traveling to the U.S. to run a marathon isn’t just difficult, it’s nearly impossible. It can mean sacrificing essentials like rent, groceries, or supporting their families.

This opportunity is more than a race. It’s a life-changing experience!

To make this possible, we are raising funds to cover:

Fundraising Goals

Goal 1: $1,500 by May 22nd

Covers:

Goal 2: $3,500 by October 1st

Covers:

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

This story starts in 2022, when I ran the Bogotá Half Marathon. At the finish line, I met Christian Zapata; a kind, genuine person who kept me company while I waited for my mom, who had just completed her first 10K. We talked, laughed, and exchanged contact information.

We stayed loosely in touch, but didn’t meet again until 2024.

In 2024, I had the privilege of hosting my Brooklyn friend Eric Goldwein in Bogotá (I now live in NYC). I reached out to Christian and asked if he’d be willing to show Eric around, give him some tips and introduce him to the local running scene.

Christian went above and beyond.

Christian (left) and Eric at the track in 2024

Me and my mom after our races, Picture by Christian!

Brooklyn friends visiting Christian (Yellow) at the track in Bogota 2025

He welcomed Eric, connected him with the community, and made him feel completely at home. As a result Eric was able to run the Tunja Half Marathon where he Met Edisson Bernal, who won first place (1:10:49) Since Eric is also a talented runner, they quickly became friends and just like Christian. Edisson opened his home, trained with Eric, and showed incredible generosity.

When Eric returned to NYC, he was deeply moved by the hospitality and kindness he experienced. At the end of the day Eric was just a stranger and they made him feel like part of their family.

Edisson (left) and Eric at Parque el Tunal 2024

Why This Matters

For many of us in the NYC running community, participating in major races can feel accessible, sometimes even routine. For Christian and Edisson, it’s a completely different reality. Traveling to the U.S. to run a marathon isn’t just difficult, it’s nearly impossible. It can mean sacrificing essentials like rent, groceries, or supporting their families.

This opportunity is more than a race. It’s a life-changing experience!

How You Can Help

Eric and I asked ourselves: what if we gather our Brooklyn community, ask some friends to chip in and see how far we get?

With your support, we can give Christian and Edisson the experience of a lifetime, one they’ve worked for, dreamed about, and truly deserve

We suggest making a donation in your favortie running distance such as $13, $26, $42, $100.....$320?

No contribution is too small. Every dollar brings them closer to the finish line in Philadelphia.

NOW MEET THE STARS:

Hola! My name is Christian Camilo Zapata. I am 35 years old and was born Medellín, Colombia. I have been running for 6 years, and it is one of my favorite passions. This sport helped me move away from drugs and depression, and now I run to feel free. Year after year, I have improved my times across different distances, most of them achieved in Bogotá at 3,550 meters above sea level:

Strava : Christian Zapata | @cz.runner

Personal Best:

My dream is to run around the world, continue improving these times, and one day break a world record in ultradistance running.

Meet Edisson:

I'm Edsisson Gilberto Bernal. I'm a high-performance athlete specializing in long-distance and middle-distance events. I'm fortunate to say that I have a great trajectory in national competitions. I have proudly earned multiple titles in half marathons, marathons, and road races across Colombia, establishing myself as one of the country’s most competitive runners. I'm currently focused on advancing to the international level and representing Colombia in high-level events.

Personal best:

A Final Note

Christian and Edisson have poured their hearts into this sport. They train at 8,661′ feet elevation in Bogotá, and travel across Colombia to compete in extreme conditions from high altitude to intense heat, with few economic resources.

Despite every challenge, they’ve never stopped showing up. They’ve never stopped believing.

Let’s show up for them.

Let’s prove that the running community is as strong, generous, and united as we say it is—built on friendship, effort, and lifting each other up.