Meet Our Marathoners: Point of Pride's 2025 TCS NYC Charity Team Athletes!

Elias is a lifelong athlete and movement enthusiast based in Milwaukee, WI. A former Division II college basketball player, Elias is returning to organized athletics for the first time since coming out as transgender two years ago—this time, to take on his very first marathon. Inspired by trans athletes like Schuyler Bailar, Cal Calamia, and his own trainer Miles Alexander, Elias has spent the last year rebuilding his strength and confidence post-top surgery, training with intention and joy through lifting, yoga, hiking, and long runs along Lake Michigan.

With a background in special education and a current role at a nonprofit serving queer and trans communities, Elias recently developed programming to provide mental health resources and connection to LGBTQ+ individuals. He’ll complete his graduate work in clinical mental health in 2025 and hopes to one day support trans youth athletes. For Elias, joining Point of Pride’s team is about more than running—it’s about visibility, healing, and community. “This is an incredibly painful time to be transgender—and also an incredibly beautiful one,” he says. “I want to use this opportunity to lift others up and remind us all: you’re already enough, exactly as you are.”

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Simran is a poet, health care leader, and marathoner based in Florida, where they’ve become a powerful advocate for trans visibility in sport. After hearing the story of non-binary runner Cal Calamia’s fight to compete at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, Simran felt a call to action—and took a pledge to help make athletics more inclusive. Since then, they’ve founded a queer run club in Central Florida, introduced non-binary categories to races across the state, and competed in both the Chicago and Tokyo Marathons. Running the NYC Marathon with Point of Pride is their next step in amplifying that work.

When they’re not training to the sounds of Chappell Roan or sharing a spontaneous chorus with strangers on the trail, Simran is writing, organizing, and dreaming of a more affirming world for trans people in Florida and beyond. Their debut poetry collection, florida, i love you violent, was published in May, with all royalties through November benefiting Point of Pride. “My job is not to prove to others what I’m made of,” they say. “It’s to prove to myself that I am gritty, strong, and capable of accomplishing what I set my mind to.”

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Campbell is a lifelong New Yorker fulfilling a major bucket list dream: “A marathon in the city I love, supporting my community through visibility and financial contributions—it was a no-brainer!” she says. Campbell jumped at the chance to join Point of Pride’s team, knowing this race would be more than just 26.2 miles. It's a tribute to the power of trans resilience and the joy of showing up authentically.

With a strong start in the Brooklyn Half and a cheering squad of friends and family already lined up, Campbell is ready to soak in every moment—bagels at the finish line included. She’s running not just for herself, but for everyone who’s ever needed to see someone like them on a big stage. “Gender-affirming care saved my life—from shapewear to surgery—and every step brought me closer to myself,” she shares. “I want to help provide that peace for someone else.”

Her message to fellow trans folks? “We are far more capable than we can even imagine.”

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Izzy is a dedicated runner chasing a dream that’s close to home—literally. “NYC is my home marathon, and it’s always been my dream to run it,” he shares. “It feels really special to be able to run it representing Point of Pride.” Though this is his first time training for a fall marathon, Izzy has embraced the early mornings and heat with gratitude and determination.

For Izzy, running is both a personal journey and a way to build community. While he hopes to set a new personal record, he’s most excited to inspire other trans people to try endurance sports—and to take that first step, whatever it may be.

“All it takes is a first step. That might be towards coming out, transitioning, or training for a marathon. It’s not to say it won’t be hard—but you can do it.”

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Shyloh is a lifelong dreamer and runner, raised in a small town and now preparing to take on a full-circle moment: running through the streets of New York City surrounded by thousands of fellow athletes. “Growing up a queer kid in a small town, I dreamed about being free and surrounded by other queer people in New York City,” they share. “There’s no better way to see the city than a 26.2-mile victory lap with thousands of new friends!”

For Shyloh, running is more than a sport—it’s a source of joy, embodiment, and resilience. Whether watching the sun set mid-run, sharing miles with friends, or tackling ultramarathons in the mountains, they see every stride as an act of connection and transformation. “As trans people, we face daily challenges big and small,” they explain. “Running is my low-stakes training lab for building resilience. When I fight through a tough training day, I know I’m that much stronger for whatever comes next.”

This November, they’re hoping to run a sub-4:15 marathon—but more importantly, to give back to the trans community and share the joy they’ve found through movement. “It’s a gift to live fearlessly in a body that reflects my true self,” Shyloh says. “The enormity of that gift is not lost on me.”

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