Riot V. Mueller | New York City 

I am a 37 year old queer female pastor in the UMC who currently serves as a chaplain at the VA hospital in Brooklyn. I love life, joy, theater arts and creativity. I use running to process the intense work I do in palliative care. It is my dream to run a marathon! I have been a lifelong feminist — attending all girls catholic high school that was deeply formative in showing me the strength and bond that women getting STRONG can provide for a prosperous life. So my dear friends far and wide — that is where I am at!

In running the NYC marathon I am also raising money for an amazing organization: Girls Gotta Run Foundation. Girls Gotta Run wants all girls in the world to be able to design a future of their choosing. One of the main ways they do that is by investing in girls who use running and education to empower themselves and their communities in Ethiopia. Please join me in making a donation to help their mission sustain and GROW.

Please support my fundraising efforts for the 2025 TCS New Beti’s fundraising pageYork City Marathon. No donation is too small. Please click on the donate button!

Hi, I’m Katherine!

Katherine Obusan | New York City 

I've lived in NYC for 17 and a half years and have grown to enjoy running during my time in the city.  Nothing beats running the streets of the concrete jungle!  It was only fitting to complete my first half marathon in NYC and then take it further to run on different terrains such as Oregon's wine country.  Needless to say it's been a dream to run the NYC Marathon and as time went by, choosing to run for a charity, especially one that matters, has become just as important.

As a woman who has worked her way through multiple phases in her career, especially in corporate America, I am today the VP Tax Strategy at ADP. I've always felt compelled to want to give back and promote girls in every age group and around the world. I run for Girls Gotta Run Foundation because I believe in the power of education, athletics, and life skills to transform lives. I am excited to be a part of the 2025 GGRF team and proudly run and get to the finish line to promote and celebrate Girls Gotta Run.  

Sarah K Palmieri | New York City & Paris  

I am a 25 year old Australian who has spent the past few years living between New York and Paris as a food writer. Outside of writing, I am involved in theatre, I love art and spend a lot of my time traveling... and of course, running!

I feel really grateful to be running with Team Girls Gotta Run, supporting girls in Ethiopia with access to education, running, life skills, and support for their mothers to build financial independence. Running has brought a lot of strength and connection into my life, and I’m thankful for the chance to help extend that opportunity to others. Any support you can give truly means a lot—thank you for being part of this! 

Julia Schwartz | New York City 

Running is my outlet, my motivator, and my reminder that I’m capable of more than I think. Running didn’t just shift my physical limits—it reshaped my mental ones. As a female founder, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when women are supported and invested in. I believe strongly in paying that forward—because I’ve benefited from the women who came before me, and I want to help create more opportunities for the next generation. Girls Gotta Run’s mission deeply resonates with me—empowering young women through sport, education, and opportunity. Running for Girls Gotta Run is more than just a race for me—it’s a chance to champion that belief in a tangible, impactful way.

Rachitha Tholasi | San Francisco 

I'm an avid runner and an advocate for women’s empowerment. I’m currently training for the NYC Marathon, motivated by the opportunity to contribute to a cause that supports and uplifts women. Along with my love for running, I have a deep interest in developing meaningful connections and creating positive impacts in my community.

I’m excited to join Team GGRF and run for a cause that aligns with my values. I have found athletics to be such an integral part of learning how to be resilient and work hard for something - especially running where you have to be the one to push yourself. Girls Gotta Run's commitment to providing girls with the opportunity to thrive through education, running, and mentorship is something I truly admire. I’m excited about the chance to not only challenge myself in the NYC Marathon but also contribute to a cause that helps girls realize their potential, both on and off the track. 

Hi, I’m Hanna!

Hanna Wondmagegn | New York City 

As an Ethiopian growing up in the U.S., I desperately looked for representation anywhere I could find it. And that started with watching long distance runners dominate the sports scene. I have fond memories of crowding around the TV during the Olympics, watching the greats cross the finish line. I felt unwavering pride for a country I’d yet to visit while watching runners shift into gear and securing the gold.

I’ve always wanted to join the sport but wasn’t able to afford the experience while I was in school. But I’d soon find my way to running in my adult years, using it as a tool to help manage my depression. I know firsthand the agency and empowerment that running provides, gaining significant confidence and strength through the sport over the last few years. I also know the deep impact of having an organization that supports you by providing life changing resources and educational opportunities. The course of my entire family’s life has changed because I was able to receive a degree. And I was able to get to that point because of the countless organizations that supported my education and growth. It’s why I love the mission of Girls Gotta Run, an organization in Ethiopia that uses running as a “foundation for girls to develop personal agency, community, and mentorship.” Fewer than 20% of girls in Ethiopia complete their education. GGRF uses running as a vessel to help get them there and beyond. Please consider supporting this fundraiser to help support girls and their families in Ethiopia! No donation is too small.