NEW YORK (WABC) — What started as a 5K is turning into a half marathon for Kade Cahe, who is looking forward to running the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon this weekend.
And this weekend, their mission is twofold. As a nonbinary athlete running for Team for Climate, they are using the race to promote sustainability and representation.
“Strong and steady is my motto,” Cahe said.
Cahe will take this mindset through their very first half marathon in the city they grew up in.
“My first race was in Central Park,” Cahe said. “I’ve been living in the Prospect Lefferts Gardens/Flatbush area for the last seven years, so I run this hill that people hate all the time, actually. So to start at Prospect Park where I found my new community and to end where I started my first race is amazing.”
Catching the running bug back in 2022 at the Central Park 5K, Cahe has grown as a runner throughout the different boroughs.
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“There’s not a single part of the race where I don’t have a memory associated to it,” Cahe said.
But now Cahe’s running for something more than just the finish line.
“And so when I did my research for Team for Climate and I thought about why, the life station project, and protecting wildlife and rivers and things like that,” Cahe said. “That was really important to me, both in New York City and Maine, and then also just providing greener options on race day, I felt that was super important.”
The New York Road Runners Team for Climate is a group dedicated to a healthier planet for future runners.
“And so joining Team for Climate was a very natural choice because I have this long history of doing sustainability, from when I was younger, but also in my everyday practice,” Cahe said. “As someone who’s also a New York resident, native New Yorker, I want to make sure that I’m doing my part running this race to just make sure that it is sustainable because it is a big shutdown and it’s a big disruption if you’re not a part of that community.”
Cahe is also making history on Team for Climate as their first nonbinary athlete.
“That’s actually very exciting for me, I’m the kind of person who every time I run the race, and I really appreciate the New York Road Runners for this, because every time I sign up, they have that option,” Cahe said.
They are advocating for their community and the planet, strong and steady.
“I’m definitely a middle of the road runner, I am getting there, hopefully one day maybe I’ll get in the top ten, but no, I’m just excited to represent for the average trans, nonbinary runner,” Cahe said. “Just doing my thing in New York City.”
ABC 7 New York is a proud sponsor of the United Airlines NYC Half. You will be able to watch live streaming coverage of the event on abc7NY.com, our mobile and connected TV apps, and social media platforms on Sunday, March 15, starting at 7 a.m.
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