Support Marisa Run the NYC Marathon: Team For Kids Donation

Hello everyone!

I am *thrilled* (and nervous!) to announce that I will be running the TCS New York City Marathon on November 2, 2025! Since I’m not quite speedy enough to qualify based on time, I’m running as part of a charity team with a fundraising commitment and need your help reaching my goal of $2,000! Keep reading to learn more about the incredible cause I’m supporting, my running journey, and how you can follow along as I prepare to conquer 26.2 miles (for my 26th bday!)

About the Cause: Team for Kids (TFK)

Team for Kids is a charity that helps fund free fitness programs and events for youth, particularly in under-resourced communities. Their mission is to inspire kids to develop healthy habits and gain confidence through running.

I chose to support TFK because, as many of you know, working with youth has always been an important part of my life. From mentoring Indian-American youth at my local temple growing up to serving as a camp counselor for foster youth at UCLA, empowering the next generation has been a core part of my volunteer experience. You can learn more about TFK’s mission here.

What excites me even more is that TFK emphasizes *active* volunteering. During my training, I’ll have opportunities to help put on fitness events for kids in NYC and even run alongside them during group runs. Knowing that my time and fundraising efforts are directly supporting these amazing programs makes this journey even more meaningful.

My Running Journey

I think we can all agree that no one—myself included—ever thought I’d be sitting here saying, “I’m running a marathon!” Honestly, that’s part of what makes running so special to me- It’s a reminder that I can break through barriers I once thought were impossible.

My journey began in Fall 2023 when my boyfriend challenged me to run a 5K with him. (Spoiler: I did it. It took a lot of convincing—maybe because I had a little crush—but I finally agreed.) It wasn’t easy, and I didn’t fall in love with it right away (with running, not the boy haha). Training for those first few miles was tough, but my determination to prove to myself that I could do it was stronger than my urge to quit. Crossing the finish line at that first 5K was a moment I’ll never forget.

From there, I the miles kept climbing and I kept surprising myself. I ran a few more 5Ks, then suddenly I could run a 10K, then I worked my way up to a 10-miler in April 2024, and finally I celebrated my 25th birthday this past October by running a half marathon! That half showed me that I’m capable of so much more than I ever imagined, and it inspired me to take the leap toward a marathon.

Why a marathon, you ask? Living in NYC, it feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to run such an iconic race. And after completing the half, I realized it’s within reach. Running the NYC Marathon is my chance to break that glass ceiling for myself once and for all.

I’ve even created an album of pictures from my running journey to share with you all—you can check it out here .

How You Can Follow Along

First, let me say how *grateful* I am for your love and support. I wouldn’t be able to do this without the amazing community of people like you cheering me on.

To keep you involved beyond just the donation, I’d love for you to follow my journey on Strava (free app download required). It’s like social media for running! On Strava, you can see every run I log—complete with my speed, distance, and even photos of the scenery and people I run with. You can watch me build up mileage week by week and see my race-day stats in real time.

If you’d like, I’m also happy to send personalized updates on my progress and invite you to join me in NYC on race day. Marathon Sunday is one of the most uplifting and inspiring days in the city, with all of NYC coming together to celebrate.

Miscellaneous Info

If you wish to avoid the GoFundMe cut, feel free to venmo directly @Marisa-Sashti!

For transparency: I have an official Team for Kids fundraising page . My company, Booz Allen Hamilton, runs a matching campaign for charities during the holidays, which allowed me to contribute half of my fundraising goal upfront so the company could match the remaining half. As you will see on the page, the goal is already matched. This GoFundMe is essentially my way of reimbursing myself, but rest assured that 100% of the funds raised go directly to TFK, so please donate here. I will be supplementing your donations with my own fundraising events in NYC as well (field days, bake sales, etc.).

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m more than happy to chat!

Thank you SO much for supporting me, my running journey, and Team for Kids. Your generosity means the world to me and the kids who will benefit from these programs.

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