NYC Marathon Spotlights Two Inspiring Queens Athletes
MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com
Two Queens runners are among the 26 athletes selected by New York Road Runners for Team Inspire, a group spotlighted for their compelling stories leading up to the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. Ceil Witherspoon of Long Island City and Karen Bdera of East Elmhurst exemplify the resilience, dedication, and community spirit that have made the marathon one of the most iconic sporting events in the world.
The marathon, set for Sunday, Nov. 2, draws more than 55,000 runners from around the globe and two million spectators lining streets across all five boroughs. The race is known for its inclusivity, welcoming Olympians, Paralympians, first-time runners, and final finishers alike. Team Inspire represents one mile of the 26.2-mile course for each athlete, highlighting the diverse and inspiring ways running transforms lives.
Origins of Running
For Bdera, a 41-year member of NYRR, running began in 1984 after seeing a bus ad that read, “Who says women can’t run the world.” She had never been a competitive runner in high school or college.
“I said, I think I can do that,” Bdera recalled. “I didn’t feel threatened, because there wouldn’t be any alpha-type men trying to push through me. I just sort of fell in love with it.” Over the years, she has completed more than 700 NYRR races and met her husband while volunteering at a race, forming lifelong connections through running.
Witherspoon’s path to running was shaped by health and circumstance. Growing up with asthma, she never imagined participating in a marathon. Her introduction to the sport came through volunteering with City Harvest, the nonprofit that provides free nutritious food to New Yorkers in need.
“The reason I did the marathon was because I could, if I could run to raise money to feed people, that’s a reason to do something,” Witherspoon said.
Training and Preparation
The two athletes approach preparation differently, reflecting their experience and health considerations.
Bdera begins her marathon build in June, gradually increasing mileage with structured runs through Queens parks, including Astoria Park and Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
“Part of that is also knowing where every great bathroom is, knowing that you can get on a bus or the subway if something goes awry,” she said. Her training is methodical, building endurance while tapering before the race to prevent injury.
Witherspoon navigates the added challenge of asthma. She described her first marathon as “really hard” and admitted early coaching did not account for her limitations.
“I was a beginner. The first half of the marathon to 13 miles was okay, but starting at 11:30, everything was closing down,” she said. Over the years, she has adjusted her preparation to accommodate both weather and her health.
“This year, it’s cold outside. I have to stay as warm as possible and make sure my lungs don’t seize up like last year,” she said.
The Experience of the Race
Both runners emphasize the energy and inclusivity of the marathon, but their perspectives differ.
Bdera reflects on the growth of the marathon over her 25 years.
“Now the race has grown to the extent that there are five waves of people on all levels… It respects the entire gamut of the running community. It really is mind-blowing,” she said. She recalls her first marathon as a smaller, more intimate race and marvels at how NYRR has maintained a supportive and welcoming environment amid tens of thousands of participants.
Witherspoon, often a final finisher, experiences the race as a deeply immersive event.
“There’s so much going on—the music, the cheering, all the sounds—you really can’t concentrate on anything else but just making sure you’re walking okay, don’t hit a pothole,” she said. Completing the marathon represents more than a personal accomplishment; it is a way to inspire others and support City Harvest.
“When I come home with the medal, I think, okay, I did this. Now this is going to work out for a lot of people,” she said.
Being Part of Team Inspire
Both athletes describe Team Inspire as a unique opportunity to motivate others.
“For me, Team Inspire means I can motivate someone who is older to do something they never thought they would and enjoy doing it,” Witherspoon said.
Bdera sees the team as a network of support and inspiration.
“The group that has been assembled… have stories that are truly amazing. It really makes me feel like I’ve got a support net that we just met, and we feel like family,” she said.
Looking Ahead
Bdera is considering future marathons cautiously, with the milestone of 25 looming large.
“25 is a convenient number, although I’ve had a few people say, well, the marathon is 26.2 so you have to at least one more after this one,” she said.
Witherspoon reflects on her journey from a first-time marathon walker to a five-time finisher.
“I was going to quit after the second marathon, but then something inspired me to keep going,” she said. “I have to wait and see what happens, to figure out if I’m going to do it six times next year.”
For both, the marathon is more than a race; it is a celebration of resilience, community, and the transformative power of running.
“Anything is possible if you set your mind to it,” Bdera said.
