This year’s TCS New York City Marathon will take place November 4, 2018. Team Gluten-Free runners from across the country will unite in New York to run the 26.2 miles with one common goal: to accelerate diagnosis, treatments, and a cure for the three million Americans affected by celiac disease.

As a Charity Partner in the 2018 TCS New York City, all of the Celiac Disease Foundation’s bibs have been claimed. If you are already a registered runner in the 2018 TCS New York City Marathon, we invite you to join Team Gluten-Free by creating a Crowdrise Fundraising Page here.

The money raised by Team Gluten-Free participants funds the Celiac Disease Foundation’s research, education, and advocacy programs. On your mark, get set, GO!

Meet Our Runners

Doug Beizer: Since my daughter Matilda was born in 2012, we’ve logged thousands of miles of running with the jog stroller. Some of our best memories are running around Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, around Fort McHenry Park and around Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Our runs range from “Tildy” taking two-hour naps, to non-stop talking over 8-milers. In February 2018, Tildy was diagnosed celiac disease. The diagnosis was both heartbreaking and liberating. Knowing what we are facing is empowering. Still, it is tough on a 5 year old to not be able to eat the same pizza and cake all her friends are enjoying at a birthday party. That said, just weeks on the new diet have been transformative; this is the happiest she’s been in months. Prior to this diagnosis, I was quite ignorant about celiac disease. I didn’t realize how serious it is and how strict the diet must be to treat it effectively. Between raising awareness about the disease and supporting research to treat it, the Celiac Disease Foundation has already proven to be a powerful ally as we start this journey. I am honored to be a part of Team Gluten-Free and am excited to support it doing something Tildy and I love. Help Doug reach his goal!

Erin Shackelford: I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2009, the same year I was heading into my freshman year of college. But, there’s no doubt celiac disease has had an impact on my life far before I was diagnosed. I grew up with constant headaches, among other issues including anemia, and it took a long time to find the reason why. I’ve played sports and have had a love for running most of my life. Once I got diagnosed with celiac disease, I slowly gained back the 10 lbs I had lost and took two minutes off my timed mile. Being a two-sport athlete in college, celiac disease made my life challenging. It was difficult to find things to eat when the teams were on the road, and I felt like a huge pain having my coaches and teammates go out of their way to make sure I was fed. Celiac disease affects half of my extended family, as well as my Dad and Brother in my immediate family.  I am running for the Celiac Disease Foundation in the TCS NYC Marathon to bring greater awareness to this disease and its cause.  I love running and this cause is important to me. Most Americans remain undiagnosed, and I hope that by raising money and getting the word out there, more people who suffer can be treated. I appreciate any and all support! Help Erin reach her goal!

Jamie Sparks: Hello! My name is Jamie Sparks, I am 38 years old and live in La Porte, Texas.  I am an avid reader and love fitness.  I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2004 at the age of 24.  Finally!  I got to pin the issues on a real culprit!  After many doctor visits, starting at a young age, my dreams of living a pain free, clear-headed life were coming true.  I quit eating gluten and had SO much energy and the ‘foggy’ brain was gone.  Being gluten-free has been easy for me, and I think that is because of how much better I feel and knowing the harsh negative effects gluten has on my body.  I am so excited to be a part of Team Gluten-Free and to run my first marathon.  I have always been a runner but never dreamed of having an opportunity like this.  I am so thankful for the support and am hoping that more people become aware of what celiac disease is, get diagnosed and get treated.  Fundraising for this cause is near and dear to my heart and I know that together we can find a cure! Help Jamie reach her goal!

Rebecca Goulter: Erin was my first running coach ever.  Funny thing is, she won’t say she was ever my coach, she’ll claim being a friend all the while giving me advice for running my first 13.1 mile race.  She put plans together for me, she slugged through my first 10 mile long run ever with me, she literally ran beside me in that race wearing a cape cheering me along the whole time. She gave me tips, tricks, and support the whole way through; she was my coach, whether she likes it or not.  I’ve always admired her dedication. This woman is a true machine, and she does it all gluten-free.  Not by choice, it is how it is, and she CRUSHES it. She’s a wife, a mother, a true friend, and a coach.  It’s my honour to run 26.2 miles for the first time ever for this amazing friend of mine. Help Rebecca reach her goal!

Caroline Winslow: I’m excited to support the Celiac Disease Foundation and run for Team Gluten-Free as part of the New York Marathon. I became gluten-free during my sophomore year of college. During this time I was a varsity athlete on my college swim team and didn’t know much about gluten or gluten intolerance. After countless months of testing, I worked alongside my naturopathic doctor and have been gluten-free (and dairy free) every since. Post graduation, I picked up running and ran my first half marathon in fall 2015 and my first marathon in fall 2017! I’m beyond passionate about running and gluten-free foods and love to share my gluten-free recipes with friends and family. Having a gluten intolerance has only made my life better and helped me to uncover my passion. I can’t wait to support the Foundation that has helped so many people who have celiac disease and gluten intolerance like myself. Please support me in my adventure over the course of these next couple months as I run for everyone who is gluten-free! Help Caroline reach her goal!