My name is Spencer McGregor and I am running my first NYC marathon with T.E.A.L.® in memory of the organization’s co-founder, my mom, Louisa M. McGregor. As a teenager growing up in a household with a sick parent, you find ways to release stress. For me, going to the gym, hanging out with friends, and working towards obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout were those outlets. Running was something I occasionally did to work on cardio or just let off some steam…until now. My wife was supposed to run the NYC Marathon in 2020 and I decided I wanted to join her (because who doesn’t want to run 26.2 miles?!). Thanks to COVID, we had to postpone until this year. We just had a baby and you know what they say… giving birth is like running a marathon. Hopefully the 26 hours of labor was good prep for our 26 miles of running.

I work for the Department of Sanitation, which means every day is a great workout. Being one of New York’s Strongest keeps me motivated to meet those miles. Sometimes, when training gets tough, I think of my mom and her battle with cancer and the miles immediately become painless. I can’t wait to feel the energy of the crowd throughout the city where I was born and raised and cross the finish line representing T.E.A.L.®.

My goal is to raise awareness of the early signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and prevent other families from experiencing the hurt and loss that mine did. 

Mom, this one’s for you… and my daughter, your namesake.