For the third year in a row, Point of Pride is proud to cheer on a team of 12 trans, gender-diverse, and allied athletes as they take on the iconic TCS New York City Marathon.
This November, our 2026 charity team will join more than 50,000 runners in the world's largest marathon, representing not only their own personal goals, but a shared commitment to uplifting our trans siblings.
What began as a historic milestone in 2024—Point of Pride's debut as the only all-trans charity team in the event's history—has grown into a powerful annual tradition. Year after year, our athletes demonstrate the strength, resilience, joy, and determination that define our community, while raising critical funds to support trans people seeking life-saving healthcare and wellness resources.
As Point of Pride celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, we're especially honored to continue this tradition alongside a group of runners who embody the spirit of our mission: showing up for one another, pushing through challenges, and helping create a future where every trans person can thrive. We're incredibly grateful for each athlete's dedication, training, and fundraising efforts!
A Message from Chris Mosier
Chris Mosier, Point of Pride board member, Team USA athlete, and returning team coach, shares:
"There's nothing quite like the New York City Marathon. The energy, the crowds, and the sense of community are unforgettable. What makes this team especially meaningful is the opportunity to celebrate trans athletes while supporting trans people across the country who need access to care. Every year, I'm inspired by these runners and the stories they carry with them to the start line."
Meet Our 2026 Team
Please join us in cheering on these remarkable athletes as they make their 26.2 miles matter for trans people around the world!
Amanda Kaliner
Pronouns: she/her
Drawn to the determination, community, and sense of accomplishment that define the marathon, Amanda is excited to challenge herself while celebrating how far she's come as a runner.
One of the highlights of training has been preparing for the race alongside her fiancé. Together, they've pushed each other to grow, stayed accountable through the toughest workouts, and found ways to make even the most challenging training days enjoyable. "We love to challenge each other, help each other grow, and support one another," Amanda shares.
As an ally, Amanda is proud to run in support of Point of Pride and the trans community. Inspired by the courage, resilience, and authenticity of trans people, she hopes her participation helps expand access to gender-affirming care while encouraging others to pursue their own goals. "Your identity is not a limitation," she says. "Keep showing up, keep believing in yourself, and know that there are people cheering you on."
Anders Conroy
Pronouns: he/him
Anders is a longtime runner preparing to cross a major item off his bucket list: the TCS New York City Marathon. While he has spent years logging miles and building a love for the sport, this November will mark his first time taking on New York City's iconic 26.2-mile course.
As training ramps up later this summer, Anders is looking forward to the challenge ahead and the opportunity to run alongside Point of Pride's all-trans charity team. For him, the race is about more than reaching the finish line—it's a chance to raise awareness about the barriers trans people face when seeking life-saving, gender-affirming care and to help make that care more accessible for others.
"I'm excited to finally run the NYC Marathon," he shares. "Being able to do it while supporting Point of Pride and raising awareness for the trans community makes it even more meaningful."
Ava Gillikin
Pronouns: she/her
Ava has found community, connection, and friendship through New York City's queer running scene. Through groups like Queer Feet and the people she's met along the way, she's experienced firsthand the power of belonging—and that's what drew her to Team Point of Pride.
As a cis, masculine-presenting queer woman, Ava is proud to run in solidarity with trans and gender-diverse communities while helping raise funds for gender-affirming care. "I've seen how powerful it is to feel accepted, supported, and free to be yourself," she shares. "This race is an opportunity to celebrate that while supporting something I care deeply about."
After completing three half marathons in the past year, Ava is excited to bring that momentum to the streets of New York this fall. Along the way, she hopes to make her community proud, support Point of Pride's mission, and continue building the kind of spaces where everyone feels welcome to show up as their authentic selves.
Caitie Greene
Pronouns: she/they
Caitie is preparing for her first marathon while recovering from a major surgery earlier this year. Training has required patience, persistence, and a willingness to celebrate progress one mile at a time. "Every long run feels like a reminder of how far I've come," she shares. "I'm grateful to be approaching this goal from a place of restored health and strength."
For Caitie, fundraising for Point of Pride felt like a natural extension of her values and commitment to community. Beyond race day, she hopes to help create space for people to show up authentically as themselves and feel supported in pursuing ambitious goals. "With the right support and community behind you, you can do big things," she says. "We deserve to take up space, pursue our goals, and be fully seen as ourselves."
As she prepares for 26.2 miles, Caitie is excited to be part of a team united by a shared commitment to showing up for others. "I can't imagine going through my first marathon experience any other way," she says.
Danne Diamond
Pronouns: they/they
Danne knows firsthand the power of running in community. In 2024, they were part of Point of Pride's historic first all-trans and non-binary charity team at the New York City Marathon—an experience that left a lasting impact. "In a world where we're often told we don't belong in sports, running as a proud trans non-binary athlete is an act of resistance," they share.
Today, Danne trains with Brooklyn's Crown Heights Run Club, a community that has helped them navigate the toughest parts of marathon preparation while never losing sight of the joy in the process. Whether it's a difficult workout or a long training run, they credit their fellow runners with keeping them motivated, supported, and laughing along the way.
Their message to others is direct and encouraging: "We can do hard things. We do hard things every day. Whatever challenge you're thinking about tackling, you can do it. Full stop."
Dre Cetra
Pronouns: he/him
Dre is a lifelong New Yorker preparing to take on his first-ever marathon—and his first major race as part of a team. While he's completed shorter races and trained for a half marathon, running has always been a personal source of joy, reflection, and connection. Much of his training takes place in and around Prospect Park, where early morning runs offer a reminder of the beauty and shared humanity found in everyday life.
For Dre, joining Point of Pride's marathon team is about celebrating trans joy, visibility, and belonging. At a time when trans communities face increasing hostility and misunderstanding, he sees joy itself as a form of resistance. "I'm racing to show that trans people belong everywhere," he says. "We are everywhere, and we've always been part of the fabric of society."
Passionate about public service and making a positive impact on others, Dre hopes his journey will inspire people to pursue their own goals, no matter how big they seem. "If I can do it, you can do it," he shares. "Any challenge you want to take on is well within your reach."
Frankie James
Pronouns: he/they
Frankie James discovered running during a pivotal chapter of his life. What began in 2020 as a way to cope with stress and uncertainty during the early days of his transition soon became something much more: a source of confidence, self-discovery, and connection. "Somewhere along the way, I stopped running away and started running toward myself," he shares.
Since then, Frankie has completed multiple marathons, countless half marathons, and an Olympic-distance triathlon. Today, he works as a marriage and family therapist specializing in LGBTQ+ couples and families, a path shaped in part by his own experiences navigating identity, community, and access to affirming care. Running with Point of Pride feels like a natural extension of that work.
For Frankie, this year's New York City Marathon is especially meaningful. He'll be running alongside his fiancée Amanda, who has supported him through every stage of his journey. "She was there with me mile after mile," he says. "Reminding me not only that I can do hard things, but that she has unwavering faith that I will."
Jay Robinson
Pronouns: he/him
Jay is preparing to return to a city that helped shape his life in a deeply meaningful way. New York is where he began his transition, started hormone therapy, underwent top surgery, and took important steps toward becoming the person he is today. This November, he'll run through those same streets as a member of Point of Pride's marathon team.
Although Jay grew up as a competitive equestrian, running entered his life later and quickly became much more than exercise. It became a source of confidence, community, and self-discovery. As a transgender man, running has helped him trust his body, celebrate what it can do, and embrace challenges he once thought were impossible.
Training for the NYC Marathon while balancing Type 1 diabetes, a full-time job, and the inevitable ups and downs of marathon preparation has required resilience, but every mile has reinforced how far he's come. "The most memorable moments haven't been the fastest runs," he shares. "They've been the moments where I realized I was doing things I once thought were impossible."
His advice to others: "Don't wait until you feel ready. Growth usually happens after you take the leap, not before."
John Sanchez
Pronouns: he/him
John is a runner, community builder, and founder of the Hudson County Queer Run Club. What began as an effort to bring people together has grown into a thriving LGBTQIA+ community where people show up for one another, build friendships, and find a sense of belonging. "To hear people thank me for creating a safe space, to see the smiles, and to watch people connect beyond the run club has changed my life," he shares.
This year, John is taking on the TCS New York City Marathon in support of Point of Pride. Motivated by the growing challenges facing trans communities, he wanted to use his miles to raise awareness and help expand access to life-saving, gender-affirming care. "I wanted to show the trans community that other communities have their backs," he says. "There is a job for us to do, and that's to stand up for what's right."
For John, training has taken on a deeper meaning because every run is connected to a cause he believes in. Beyond reaching the finish line, he hopes to raise meaningful support for trans people and help create a world where everyone feels welcome, valued, and safe. "You are the definition of courage and strength," he says to the trans community. "To be true to yourself despite what the world says is a beautiful thing."
Liam Lazore
Pronouns: he/him
Liam is a dedicated runner with a clear goal in mind: breaking the four-hour mark at this year's TCS New York City Marathon. After finishing the 2025 Chicago Marathon in 4:01, he's returning to marathon racing determined to shave those final minutes from his time while experiencing one of the most celebrated courses in the world.
For Liam, marathon training is where the real challenge begins. The early mornings, long solo runs, and countless miles logged behind the scenes have taught him the value of consistency and self-belief. "Some days are long, lonely, and unmotivating," he shares. "But it's about proving to yourself what you're truly capable of."
Knowing he's helping support gender-affirming care while representing a team working toward a common goal keeps him motivated through even the toughest days. His advice to others is simple: "Do it. No matter how big the challenge feels, you're capable of doing hard things."
Join our email list for more updates on our athletes as we get closer to race day—and if you're feeling inspired, learn how you can join a future team or run your own race!
The information on this page is for general education only. It is not medical advice, legal advice, or professional advice. For questions or help with your specific situation, please talk to a licensed doctor, lawyer, or another qualified expert.
Written by Point of Pride
Point of Pride provides financial aid and direct support to trans folks in need of health and wellness care.
