This episode tells the story of someone who battled depression and was drawn through running from a friend's inspiring marathon training. Just a few years later, she made international headlines with a run from Harlem to Washington, D.C. and raised more than $100,000 for Planned Parenthood.

Alison Desir is a mental health counselor and also the founder of Harlem Run and Run4AllWomen. Harlem Run was founded in 2013 and welcomes a strong, positive and diverse group of runners of all sizes, ages and abilities for group runs on Mondays and Thursdays. Run4AllWomen was born in response to the 2016 election and uses running as a vehicle for social change. The mission is to empower women to be the change they seek.

Alison's story tells us how she was able to mix running and activism to make an impact – not just in New York City but around the world.

You can follow Alison on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/alisonmdesir

Follow Harlem Run here: https://www.instagram.com/harlemrun/

More information on Run4AllWomen: https://www.run4allwomen.com/

This is Runners of NYC. A new bi-weekly podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Jeanne Mack and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture.

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter: @RunnersOfNYC.

Email any comments, feedback or possible sponsorship ideas to runnersofnyc@gmail.com

Music for the show is by Future Generations. Podcast artwork by Kyle Klosinski.