It is an honor and a privilege to represent Friends of Firefighters in the 2026 NYC Marathon. The culture, sacrifice, and selflessness demonstrated by the FDNY and their families continue to inspire me. I will always admire people who willingly place the needs of others ahead of their own, not for recognition, but because they believe it is the right thing to do. That sense of purpose and commitment to something larger than yourself is something I deeply respect and strive to live by in my own life.
I hope wearing FOF on my bib will suffice as a small way to give back to a community built on service and brotherhood. The strongest people I have known are often the ones who carry the heaviest burdens quietly, show up when they are needed most, and ask for little in return. Friends of Firefighters exists to support those individuals and their families when they need it most. If a few months of training and one race can help strengthen that mission, then it is a challenge worth taking on. Every step to the finish line is a reminder that none of us accomplish anything alone.
-Jesse Vogt
