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Every race has a starting line and a finish line. But for the runners representing Emily’s Entourage (EE) during the 2026 Philadelphia Marathon Weekend, the impact of their miles extends far beyond the course.<\/span><\/p>\n In a few days, #TeamEE runners from across the country will join thousands of athletes on the streets of Philadelphia, taking on the 8K, half marathon, and full marathon with a shared purpose: accelerating lifesaving breakthroughs for the final 10% of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) who do not benefit from current mutation-targeted therapies.<\/span><\/p>\n Behind every #TeamEE runner is a story. Some have been part of EE’s journey for years, while others are finding new ways to turn their passion for running into purpose. Together, they’re proving that meaningful progress takes persistence, community, and a willingness to keep moving forward\u2026fast!<\/span><\/p>\n Ahead of race weekend, we’re introducing a few of the inspiring faces donning\u00a0 #TeamEE purple and sharing, in their own words, what motivates them to go the extra mile.<\/span><\/p>\n Chicago, IL | Half Marathon<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Benny Bernstein is a senior living advisor and returning #TeamEE runner who has previously completed both the Philadelphia Marathon and Half Marathon in support of EE. His passion for running began in college after losing a close friend to a brain hemorrhage while out on a run. Since then, running has become a meaningful way to honor loved ones and support causes close to his heart.<\/span><\/p>\n Q: What inspired you to run for Emily’s Entourage this year?<\/b><\/p>\n A:<\/b> I am so lucky to call myself a family friend of Emily and the Kramer-Golinkoff family. Earlier this year, Coby and I were running together in the Broad Street Run, and he convinced me to join the team again. Seeing Emily’s strength and determination firsthand makes running for this mission an easy yes.<\/span><\/p>\n Q: What does running for #TeamEE mean to you?<\/b><\/p>\n A:<\/b> The impact that Emily’s Entourage has made in the CF community is nothing short of inspiring. Knowing that every mile helps fund groundbreaking research and truly changes the game for the final 10% of people with CF makes every step of this race infinitely more meaningful.<\/span><\/p>\n Q: What’s been the most rewarding part of preparing for this race?<\/b><\/p>\n A:<\/b> The most rewarding part of preparing for this race has been sharing Emily’s story and raising awareness to help find a cure for CF. Every conversation, donation, and message of support along the way reminds me of the bigger picture behind the training.<\/span><\/p>\n Q: When the miles get tough, what keeps you going?<\/b><\/p>\n A:<\/b> When the miles get tough, I remind myself to be grateful for simply having the health and ability to run. Knowing that I have so many wonderful friends and family members in my corner supporting me gives me the push I need to keep moving forward.<\/span><\/p>\n Q: What message would you share with the CF community or those cheering on #TeamEE?<\/b><\/p>\n A:<\/b> Always know that you can make a real difference, just like Emily.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Upper Pottsgrove, PA | Half Marathon<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n A registered dietitian and lifelong athlete, Katie Stairiker has been active in sports since childhood, from soccer and field hockey to running. She has completed five Broad Street Runs and the Ocean City, New Jersey, Half Marathon this October, and continues to play field hockey in an adult league.<\/span><\/p>\n Q: What inspired you to run for Emily’s Entourage this year?<\/b><\/p>\n A:<\/b> I am inspired to run for Emily’s Entourage because this organization is very near and dear to my family and me. Supporting their mission to find a cure for the final 10% of individuals with CF means helping bring a crucial breakthrough to this community.<\/span><\/p>\n Q: What does running for #TeamEE mean to you?<\/b><\/p>\n A:<\/b> Running for Team EE gives me the opportunity to turn a hobby I enjoy into a meaningful way to raise funds for a cure I desperately want to see.<\/span><\/p>\n Q: What’s been the most challenging or rewarding part of preparing for this race?<\/b><\/p>\n A:<\/b> The most challenging part is the training regimen and spending time away from family and friends to complete long training runs. However, it is equally rewarding to complete the race knowing that these efforts directly support research for a cure.<\/span><\/p>\n Q: When the miles get tough, what keeps you going?<\/b><\/p>\n A:<\/b> Remembering that running is a privilege\u2014not everyone has the ability to run, so I remind myself that this is something I get to do.<\/span><\/p>\n Q: What message would you share with the CF community or those cheering on #TeamEE?<\/b><\/p>\n A:<\/b> Remember that every mile has a purpose beyond the finish line. We run because we can, but more importantly, we run for those who face challenges far greater than any race. Never underestimate the difference you can make!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Brooklyn, NY | 8K<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Q: What inspired you to run for Emily’s Entourage this year?<\/b><\/p>\n A:<\/b> After attending the NY and Philly Galas back in 2016, my wife Sandy and I got more involved as EE Champions in 2017 and then as a runner in 2018. The Kramer-Golinkoffs have become framily and I’ve been part of the Entourage ever since!<\/span><\/p>\n Q: What does running for #TeamEE mean to you?<\/b><\/p>\n A:<\/b> To me, running for EE means being part of a movement that refuses to leave anyone behind.<\/span><\/p>\n Q: What’s been the most challenging or rewarding part of preparing for this race?<\/b><\/p>\n A:<\/b> The most rewarding part of preparing is pushing through when my knee acts up. I once found myself running behind someone whose shirt read, “Pain is just weakness leaving the body,” and that has stuck with me ever since. Plus, a little pain always makes the post-race beer taste that much better!<\/span><\/p>\n Q: When the miles get tough, what keeps you going?<\/b><\/p>\n A:<\/b> I’m only running the 8K so not really applicable … but whenever things get a little tough, I just think about Emily and our goal of finding breakthroughs for the final 10%.<\/span><\/p>\n Q: What message would you share with the CF community or those cheering on #TeamEE?<\/b><\/p>\n A:<\/b> To the CF community, I would just say to keep on fighting because #TeamEE we won’t stop running until the job is done.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Washington, DC | Half Marathon<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n A veterinarian and longtime #TeamEE runner, Amanda Foskett has participated in the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend for the past 12 years, completing the 8K, half marathon, and full marathon numerous times in support of EE. A high school friend of Emily’s, Amanda continues to return year after year to support a mission close to her heart.<\/span><\/p>\n Q: What inspired you to run for Emily’s Entourage this year?<\/b><\/p>\n A:<\/b> Emily is a great friend from high school. I’ve been so inspired by how she and the Kramer-Golinkoff family have taken her disease into their own hands to find her a cure.<\/span><\/p>\n Q: What does running for #TeamEE mean to you?<\/b><\/p>\n A:<\/b> It has been incredible to see EE grow over the years. The research grants they’ve been able to fund because of fundraisers like the Philly Marathon and others are genuinely remarkable.<\/span><\/p>\n Q: What’s been the most challenging or rewarding part of preparing for this race?<\/b><\/p>\n A:<\/b> I’ve been training partly by running with my 2-year-old in the running stroller. He keeps me on my toes by yelling, “GO FASTER!” A real motivational coach!<\/span><\/p>\n Q: When the miles get tough, what keeps you going?<\/b><\/p>\n A:<\/b> Running is nowhere near as hard as living with CF. If you think about that, it’s easy to keep going! Any music with a good beat also helps!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Inspired by the stories and determination of our #TeamEE runners? You can be part of their journey by supporting their fundraising efforts and helping turn every mile into meaningful progress for the CF community.<\/span><\/p>\n Every donation helps fuel critical research and accelerate lifesaving breakthroughs for the final 10% of people with CF who are still waiting for effective treatments.<\/span><\/p>\nMeet Our 2026 #TeamEE Runners<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Benny Bernstein<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Katie Stairiker<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Greg Maltzman<\/b><\/h3>\n
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A longtime member of the EE community, Greg Maltzman and his wife, Sandy, first connected with the organization after attending EE’s New York and Philadelphia galas in 2016. They became EE Champions in 2017, and Greg has been a familiar face at Philadelphia Marathon Weekend for several years. He has participated in both the 8K and half marathon for EE and previously completed the full Philadelphia Marathon.<\/span><\/p>\n
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Amanda Foskett<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Go the Extra Mile With #TeamEE<\/b><\/h2>\n