“I AM CAPABLE OF THIS!” Jamie Tulenko, a 2005 Woodford County High School graduate, told herself at around mile 20 of this year’s New York City Marathon, which she finished to the roaring crowds cheering her and other runners on as they ran towards the finish line. Jamie, who has lived in the New York City for 11 years, said Marathon Day has always been special to her. “It is the best day of the year. The camaraderie, making signs and cheering on runners, it’s the city at its best,” she said. The first-time marathoner took up running after last year’s marathon. She began running in nearby Central Park and upon advice, did the NYC Half-Marathon. This led her to join a team in which she raised just over $6,000 for Safe Families for Children, a nonprofit she volunteers with, and then found herself at the starting line of the marathon. “Like all of us, I have limits, but I am capable of doing more,” she said. “When I hit mile 20, my legs were screaming at me ‘what have you gotten us into,’ it was a reminder that I can push myself to achieve something I didn’t think was possible.” Jamie said she still enjoys and has entered the lottery for a spot in the NYC Half-Marathon again this spring. What she has also proven is Woodford County is the “Home of Champions.” (Photo submitted)
Jamie Tulenko runs NYC Marathon
