Meet the 2025 TCS NYC Marathon Kilometer Kids Charity Team

Before these five members of Running City USA toe the start line of the TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 2, they'll have already achieved a milestone: raising a record-breaking amount of donations for Kilometer Kids.

Each November, Atlanta Track Club sends a team of dedicated members to New York City to run in support of the next generation of runners and walkers. As they trained for 26.2, each athlete fundraises for Kilometer Kids—Atlanta Track Club's largest free youth running program. In 2025, their collective goal was to raise up to $30,000.

Kilometer Kids is a game-based curriculum that teaches children grades K-5 the value of healthy habits, goal setting, community and respect through running and walking. More than 6,000 participants across metro Atlanta and beyond participate each year in the program's 10-week spring and fall seasons.

Donations to the charity team go directly to supporting coaching, resources, educational materials and more. To learn more—or to support one or all five runners—click here.

Madison Hafitz

If you've ever been involved with Kilometer Kids, chances are you've crossed paths with Madison Hafitz.

An Atlanta native and expert on the program, Hafitz has led Kilometer Kids since 2020, helping rebuild it after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now associate director of youth and adult programming, she oversees day-to-day operations, curriculum development, coach training, site visits and funding efforts.

When she committed to running her first marathon for the program, Hafitz set a high bar—raising a record amount in less than a year. She's continued to raise that bar ever since and now aims to reach $22,000 by race day.

Hafitz is running her first marathon on behalf of a program she's helped rebuild and grow, and she's already made Club history, raising more than any previous charity runner. Her goal: $22,000 by race day.

"When I started working at Atlanta Track Club in 2020, we were still in the pandemic and at that time no programming was happening..." Hafitz said. "Today, to be able to say that we're serving 150 program sites annually and over 6,000 participants, I just think the growth of the program is so incredible."

Donate to Madison's Fundraiser Here

Brian Minor

Now living in Atlanta, Brian Minor is bringing a piece of Running City USA back to his hometown of Brooklyn, on race day, connecting two cities close to his heart.

His connection to Atlanta Track Club is a family affair. He and his wife, who met at a run club, have been running partners since 2015. Their five-year-old son is part of the Kilometer Kids program and regularly participates in the Club's free youth events, including the Chick-fil-A Peachtree Junior and 50-meter Dashes.

Through his family's involvement, Minor has seen firsthand how Kilometer Kids builds more than just fitness—it fosters confidence and life skills from an early age. That impact fuels his passion to expand the program's reach through his fundraising efforts.

"I choose to run the marathon for Kilometer Kids because I understand how important it is for young kids to have confidence and inspiration early on in life," Minor said. "Being an example and giving them that foundation, I think will set them up for life."

Donate to Brian's Fundraiser

Jake Reece

Jake Reece didn't fall in love with running until adulthood. But when he began setting goals and seeing progress, his confidence grew. He wants the same for today's youth.

Now a father of two, he understands the importance of building that same confidence in his own children, which is one of the many reasons he values the Kilometer Kids program.

As he looks forward to his second marathon on Sunday, he feels there is "nothing he'd rather do more" than fundraise for Kilometer Kids and invest in the future generations of runners and walkers. He looks to set an example of health and kindness, and show others how to work hard, just as Kilometer Kids are taught during the program.

"There's nothing better than helping children locally, being a part of our community, and teaching them how to reach for and achieve their goals," Reece said.

Donate to Jake's Fundraiser

Elizabeth Karr

Elizabeth Karr is no stranger to Atlanta Track Club's community. As a physical therapist and a member of the Club's Elite Multidisciplinary Athlete Performance and Prevention Team, she's passionate about keeping people moving at every stage of life.

After watching her best friend complete the TCS New York City Marathon in 2024, Karr felt inspired to take on the challenge of her own first marathon. She chose Kilometer Kids as her fundraising focus because its mission mirrors her own.

"As a physical therapist, my passion is to help keep people active and moving through their whole lifespan, and a lot of that starts with the healthy habits we learn in childhood," Karr said. "I just love that Kilometer Kids is a program that brings youth into running... and teaches them on top of the values of exercise and moving your body, how fun that can be."

Donate to Elizabeth's Fundraiser

Krystle Kennedy

Krystle Kennedy's running journey began after she became a mother. Wanting to prioritize her health and set a positive example, she and her husband started a wellness journey together. That path led her to Atlanta Track Club.

Through the Club, Kennedy found a supportive community—something her son noticed and wanted to be part of, even at a young age. They introduced him to Kilometer Kids, where he learned to set goals, enjoy running, and build connections with other participants.

"It's so special to see the kids work so hard to get those miles in, push themselves and encourage each other," Kennedy said. "Running was something that I found in my 30s, and I can just only imagine had I found running at an earlier age, how game-changing it would have been for me."

Donate to Krystle's Fundraiser