Former New Paltz women’s soccer co-captain Bryce Kristall ran in the 2015 New York City Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 1 — in honor of her late mother.
After her mother, Felice Kristall, passed away on April 19, 2014 after a year-long battle with lung cancer, Kristall, 22, wanted to contribute in an active way to the cause to help prevent others and their families from the grief and sorrow caused by losing a loved one to the disease.
While exploring options over the summer, Kristall chose to run the 2015 New York City Marathon. After being told by the American Lung Association that all of the bids were filled, Kristall shared her meaningful story with the association. Kristall said she would go “all-in” and commit to the cause. They pushed for her and granted her a bid a few weeks later. Kristall trained for four months until marathon day. She finished the marathon with a time of 5:01:39.
How The Journey Began
Breaking The Minimum
Course Of Action
Kristall ran 26.2 miles during her first-ever marathon. Below is the course she followed.
New Paltz women’s soccer team Head Coach Colleen Bruley, Kristall’s coach from college, shared her thoughts on Kristall’s participation in the marathon. She said she was impressed by how the former Hawk overcame her lack of desire for running.
The Truth About Lung Cancer
• Each year, over 160,000 people die of lung cancer. It is the No. 1 cancer killer in the United States.
• Lung cancer is the No. 1 cancer killer of women, surpassing breast cancer in 1987.
• More than two-thirds of lung cancer diagnoses are people who have never smoked or are former smokers.
• More than 33 million Americans suffer from chronic lung disease.
• Lung disease, including lung cancer, is the top-third killer in the United States, responsible for one in six deaths.
• In the last 35 years, the lung cancer death rate has fallen 35 percent among men while increasing 100
percent among women.
• Asthma is the No. 1 chronic disease of children.
• Nearly 80 percent of Californians live in counties affected by unhealthy air.
Courtesy of lungforce.org
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