Support Three NYC Marathon Runners Racing to Benefit Positive Directions!
- info450094
- Jul 30
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 6
Positive Directions is proud to be one of three official charity partners of New York Road Runners, which organizes the famed TCS New York City Marathon each year. Three incredible runners are running on our behalf this year. Each has a goal of raising $3,000 for Positive Directions!
Brian McGarvey
Gianna Affi
Check out each runner's story below and read why they're running for Positive Directions!
Cam's Story
"There's a real handshake with mental health and physical fitness. That's what excites me about Positive Directions. And that's what excites me about running."
"First of all, I trained - hard - for the NYC Marathon in 2012. Then Hurricane Sandy canceled it. It’s been 13 years and I’m back. I've been running competitively since high school. I am proud of how far and fast I can run. Hitting the pavement has always given me clarity, discipline, and a deep connection to my own resilience, but where I was running to wasn’t always clear.
"There’s a stigma about “needing” therapy. The thought is, if I can’t see you hurting then how can you be in pain? I sought help from a mental health professional who helped me untangle the thoughts I couldn’t outrun. She’s helped me curb certain inhibitive traits and helped me become a better husband, father, son, friend and employee.
"My world in 2025 is full of hope and, finally, a marathon. Thanks to my wife, my daughter, and getting help when I needed it most."
Brian's Story
"It was clear that on days that I ran, I mentally felt better. I had more patience and ability to deal with things that would typically cause me anxiety."
“I would run 3 miles but have to stop to catch my breath and walk. After a little time I only had to stop to walk about halfway through until one day I was able to complete those 3 miles without stopping.
“It's funny where things can take you without any intention to ever end up in that place. It was running that drove me to decrease some bad decisions and replace them with healthier eating and consuming less alcohol. I mentally felt better, more patient and more able to deal with things that would typically cause me anxiety.”
Gianna's Story
"Running taught me not to be scared of food, because not only is it great and fun, but it taught me resilience and strengthened my mental health."
"When I went to college I was hit by the perfect storm: a newfound love of running, generalized anxiety, stress from being away from home, and the struggle that comes with creating a new life.
"This culminated in a severe eating disorder. After two years of over-running and under-fueling, I broke my knee. Things needed to change. I focused on healing, physically, and recovering from a deeply buried mental health struggle that would take all my might to recover from. After three years, I was ready again, but took things slowly. I listened to my body, honored my cravings, took off days, and relied on family and friends to hold me accountable.
"Many people say running a marathon is the hardest thing you'll ever do, but with eating disorder recovery under my belt, I feel ready for anything."
About us: Founded over 50 years ago, Positive Directions takes pride in being innovative community leaders in mental health, community prevention, and peer support.
As a small (but mighty!) nonprofit, we work at the community and state level to transform perspectives, policies, and practices and create healthier communities, while also providing direct counseling and peer support to individuals and families struggling with mental health or substance misuse challenges. We provide free trainings and support groups, and we never refuse treatment based on someone's ability to pay.
Like the amazing NYC Marathoners running to support us, we believe that physical wellness is tied to mental wellness. 100% of the funds our runners raise will support Positive Directions' mental health and substance misuse services, from prevention through treatment and recovery.
A huge thank-you to Rhone for partnering with us to support these great runners!
