In New York City’s marathon, on the Sunday of November each year is a moment when residents unite to support runners from all over the world as they pursue their aspirations in the race of a lifetime through the bustling streets of the city that never sleeps. Under a sky with a chill in the air on the morning of the 53rd TCS New York City Marathon, at precisely 8 a.m., a crowd of 50 thousand eager runners took off enthusiastically to push their limits and give their all in this challenging event.

From the word “go,” these athletes are giving their all, each determined to reach the finish line, come hell or high water. The hearts on display were so inspiring that Olympian Ilona Maher was moved to tears watching live, as runners truly gave blood, sweat, and tears in pursuit of their dreams.

Ilona Maher recently hopped on Instagram to share an update on her stories while watching the November 3rd New York City Marathon as it was still underway. With excitement, she shared, “The marathon is moving along smoothly. I’m getting inspired—I’m ready to cry! Everyone is just working their tails off, running miles and miles. It makes me want to run, but I won’t!” she joked, adding, “I’m rocking my lipstick as always; it makes me feel bold and confident, and I hope these runners feel that way too.”

Now that the results are in, Abdi Nageeye from the Netherlands and Sheila Chepkirui from Kenya took home the wins in the men’s and women’s races at the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon. It was incredible to watch both runners pull away from their closest competitors in the final few hundred meters, clinching their first victories in this legendary race. For Olympian Ilona Maher, it was especially thrilling; she has such a deep respect for all sports and really enjoyed seeing these athletes on full show. She very well knows what it takes to be the best.

This has been a big year for Ilona, who made waves at the 2024 Paris Olympics and brought home a bronze medal! She’s also become a TikTok sensation, sharing fun behind-the-scenes moments from the Summer Games that fans absolutely eat up. Now she’s taking on a new challenge as a cast member of the 33rd season of “Dancing with the Stars,” which is sure to be a real game changer for her! But did you know she explored multiple sports before finding her stride in rugby?

Ilona Maher became an overnight sensation!

Ilona Maher has really become a standout personality since the Tokyo Games three years ago, and it’s no wonder—she has 4.2 million followers on Instagram! What’s really amazing is how social media has leveled the playing field, allowing athletes from lesser-known sports to break through the noise. Ilona has totally nailed this, landing deals with big brands like Secret, L’Oreal, and New Era.

Before finding her footing in rugby, Ilona explored several sports that laid the groundwork for her athletic journey. She played field hockey, basketball, and softball during high school, enjoying each for different reasons. However, at 17, she discovered rugby and realized she had found her true passion. She went on to play at Quinnipiac University, balancing her studies in nursing with her rugby career before joining the U.S. national team just before the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics. Throughout her journey, she has remained an inspiring figure, sharing her story and motivating others through her social media and athletic endeavors.

During the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, Ilona Maher encouraged everyone to embrace the beauty of all body types, saying, “I want you all to take a look at all the different body types on display. All body types matter.” She wanted to shine a light on the unrealistic beauty standards that often overshadow athletes in both sports and society. With her inspiring messages and relatable content, Ilona is undoubtedly driving change in the sport with respect and authenticity.