Racing Toward a Cure: Team EE Shines in the 2024 Philadelphia Marathon

There’s a certain magic to the weekend of the Philadelphia Marathon that’s hard to put into words—a mix of determination, excitement, and heart that fills the air. This year, Team EE harnessed that magic with 30 registered runners hitting the streets of Philadelphia to speed life-saving breakthroughs and a cure for the final 10% of the cystic fibrosis (CF) community who do not benefit from current mutation-targeted therapies.

From November 23-24, 2024, the city buzzed with excitement as thousands of runners took part in the 8K, half marathon, and full marathon. Among them were the remarkable individuals of Team EE, whose determination and grit were fueled by the shared mission to create a future where everyone with CF can breathe deep and live free.

Each Team EE runner took on not only the physical challenge of race weekend but also a fundraising challenge, pledging to raise $500 for the 8K, $750 for the half marathon, and $1,500 for the full marathon. These funds are critical for fueling cutting-edge research aimed at developing treatments for the final 10% of the CF community who are still waiting for lifesaving breakthroughs. Thanks to their dedication, Team EE raised more than $37,000 to push this vital mission forward.

With runners from nine states, this year’s roster of Team EE runners blended familiar faces and new additions, all united by a shared commitment to changing the future for the CF community. Whether tackling the crisp morning air of the 8K or persevering through the final stretch of the marathon, Team EE’s strength and spirit were on full display.

“To every Team EE runner, thank you for pouring your heart into every step of this journey,” said Emily Kramer-Golinkoff, co-founder of Emily’s Entourage. “Running feels like the ultimate act of defiance against CF. We are in the race of our lives to develop lifesaving treatments and a cure for the final 10% of the CF community, and you are the force propelling us to that ultimate finish line. We are in awe of your dedication and overwhelmed with gratitude to you!”

A special thanks to Firstrust Bank, this year’s official Team EE sponsor, for their unwavering support. Your partnership fuels our mission and inspires us to push even harder toward our ultimate finish line.

Finally, we’d like to extend our deepest gratitude to our extraordinary runners for their tireless efforts and unshakable commitment:

This year was a powerful reminder that when we come together, we can do extraordinary things. Thank you, Team EE, for showing the world that no finish line is too far when we’re racing for breakthroughs and a cure.

Check out the 2024 Team EE photo album here to relive all the marathon magic, and let’s keep racing toward a cure, one step at a time. ????