Expanding the Power of Running: Two Atlanta Leaders Take on Boston for Their Foundations
For years, Natalie Cabanas, Director of Marketing at Atlanta Track Club, and Tes Sobomehin Marshall, founder of runningnerds and race director of The Race, dreamed of running the Boston Marathon, the pinnacle of distance running. Now, in April 2025, that dream is becoming reality—but with an even greater purpose.
Cabanas and Marshall will take on the historic 26.2 miles of the 129th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America while fundraising for the organizations they believe in: the Atlanta Track Club Foundation and The Race Foundation. Though their fundraising efforts support separate initiatives, they share a common goal—expanding access to running and increasing its impact on the Atlanta community.
Cabanas fell in love with running in middle school and has carried that passion ever since. Now, as Director of Marketing at Atlanta Track Club, she has spent nearly a decade witnessing how the sport changes lives, including her own. As she prepares for her fourth marathon, she's using her Boston journey to support the Atlanta Track Club Foundation, which works to make running accessible to all, from young athletes to Olympic hopefuls.
The Foundation funds free youth running programs like Kilometer Kids, helping children build confidence, health, and lifelong habits through running. It also supports Atlanta Public Schools cross country and track and field programs, ensuring student-athletes have the resources they need to thrive. Additionally, the Foundation provides opportunities for elite runners through the Olympic Development Program, keeping Atlanta at the heart of competitive running.
When asked why she chose to fundraise through a marathon, the answer was simple: "Why not?"
"Every marathon is a different journey," said Cabanas, who will soon run her fourth marathon in Boston. "Each time, I learn something new about myself and grow both mentally and physically. That's the power of running—its ability to transform, to challenge, and to inspire. And that's exactly what your donation supports: giving young runners in Atlanta the opportunity to experience that same journey, from their first steps to chasing big dreams. Running is for everyone, and with support from the Foundation, we can make sure it's accessible to all."
Through her marathon fundraising, Cabanas hopes to help more kids experience the same benefits of running that shaped her own journey.
"That's what your dollars go to—one more kid joining the Kilometer Kids program, one more athlete competing on a youth team, and supporting the Elites as they chase their Olympic dreams. More lives being touched through the sport of running and walking."
Marshall's journey as a leader in the running community has spanned more than a decade. She first gained recognition as one of the five founding partners of the Atlanta chapter of Black Girls Run, where she helped organize group runs and inspire the next generations of runners.
Her passion for fostering connections through running led her to become a race director and launch The Race, a half marathon and 5K that has evolved into a weekend-long celebration benefiting Black-owned businesses, neighborhoods and charities since 2018.
"The Race has become one of my biggest projects, my biggest endeavor," said Marshall, who has lived in Atlanta for nearly15 years. "It creates a space that celebrates the impact that Black runners and walkers have on the running community. We're celebrating Black excellence."
Her goal in fundraising is to showcase the impact The Race Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Race that supports charitable partners and small businesses, has on the Black community in Atlanta. She also looks to set an example for her 3-year-old daughter as well as other Black runners in the community who could follow her lead.
"When you donate, you can feel the benefits of your donation by participating in the events Natalie and I work for," she said. "Whether you're a parent who is signing your child up for Kilometer Kids, or you're participating in The Race or joining us in the Community Impact Service Day the day after the half marathon, you're directly experiencing the impact of these donations."
From now until race day, Cabanas and Marshall are training together, sharing their stories and spreading the word about their organizations.
Their journey highlights the power of community, whether it's running a marathon or rallying support for a cause, big challenges become possible with people behind you.
"At the end of the day, my goal is to arrive at the start line of the Boston Marathon with more eyes on these foundations, representing Atlanta in the best way I can and, of course, to feel healthy," Marshall said.
To donate to Natalie Cabanas and the Atlanta Track Club Foundation, visit this link. To support Tes Sobomehin Marshall and the The Race Foundation, visit this link.
