NYMC Students Were There to Help as Thousands Crossed the Finish Line

Student Medical Volunteers Joined Teams of Health Professionals Providing Care and Support to Runners at the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon

November 04, 2026

Large group of Touro University volunteers gathered outdoors in an urban plaza, posing for a group photo while holding a blue Touro University banner. Most participants are wearing matching red jackets and waving toward the camera. Modern high-rise buildings and a large institutional building form the backdrop, with trees and open plaza space visible in the foreground.

Team Touro helped support more than 60,000 marathon runners from more than 140 countries at the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, providing care and assistance at the finish line as athletes completed their journey through all five boroughs.

As more than 60,000 runners from around the world made their way through New York City's five boroughs on November 1, another team was preparing for its own endurance event. Stationed in finish line medical tents and treatment areas throughout the course, hundreds of health care professionals and student volunteers stood ready to care for participants making their way through the 26.2-mile race. Among them were students representing New York Medical College (NYMC) as part of Touro University’s volunteer team. Throughout the day, they supported runners and experienced firsthand the teamwork, preparation, and compassion required to keep one of the world's largest marathons running safely.

“I love New York, running, medicine, and volunteering, so this was the perfect opportunity to give back while having a great time. Many NYC Marathon runners participate to raise money for various charities, so being able to support them and contribute to such a meaningful event was incredibly rewarding,” said student medical volunteer Kevin Carratu, SOM Class of 2030, who was at one of the finish line medical tents. “It was a valuable learning experience to see firsthand how medical teams are organized and coordinated to provide care for athletes on such a large scale.”

Side by side with attending physicians, residents, nurses, physician assistants, massage therapists, EMTs, and physical therapists, CPR-certified medical student volunteers assisted with identifying runners who might need medical assistance, assessing patients, supporting clinical care teams, and documenting treatment provided to runners.

“I was positioned at finish line tent two, which was far and away the busiest locale for the entire race,” said Hao “Harry” Yu, M.D.-Ph.D. candidate and student medical volunteer. “I don't think there was a single moment after 12:45 p.m. where we weren't working. Runners would flow into our triage area like a constant river, and there was always a little chaos getting everyone aligned. Thankfully, we had excellent leadership and logistical support, and I don't think any patients were ever waiting long.”

Throughout the marathon, the students assisted runners suffering from muscle cramps, dehydration, orthopedic injuries, asthma attacks, blisters, cardiac issues, and other conditions requiring medical attention. Yu and Carratu recalled the wide range of patients of different ages and backgrounds they provided not only physical support to, but emotional as well.

“There were plenty of runners who were shaky, both physically and emotionally,” said Yu. “For some, there was not only the somatic experience of being in pain, being dehydrated, woozy, drifting out, or shivering, but also the personal distress of feeling like they'd failed or weren't with their loved ones right then and there. The greatest personal reward on Sunday was to watch these runners recover their sense of accomplishment and achievement with our support.”

“I met so many people of different ages and backgrounds,” recalled Carratu. “One runner traveled all the way from Germany to run his first marathon, while another was completing his 36th marathon and finished alongside his wife.”

While many runners arrived at the medical tents physically exhausted and in need of care, the experience had many moments of connection and appreciation. For Carratu and Yu, one of the most memorable aspects of the day was interacting with runners who showed how the presence of the volunteers made a huge difference in them crossing the finish line.

“I was amazed by how many runners thanked us for being there,” said Carratu, who hopes to run his first marathon next year. “As athletes crossed the finish line, many took the time to express their gratitude. It was wonderful to meet runners from all over the world, spend a few minutes hearing their stories, and be part of such a special event. I would absolutely volunteer again and would highly recommend the experience to anyone interested in medicine, running, or volunteering.”