We’re proud to announce that Erica Gennaro, our New England Sales Manager, is Gentle Giant’s Athlete of the Month for March!
Earlier this month, Erica ran the Tokyo Marathon, earning her Six Star Medal for completing all six World Marathon Majors: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City.
Erica was originally registered and ready to run Tokyo, her final World Major, in March 2020. When the race was postponed due to COVID restrictions, a goal years in the making was put on hold. Erica continued training as her entry was deferred year after year, finally getting the opportunity to make the trip three years later.
The Tokyo Marathon came with its own unique challenges, from navigating a language barrier and 13-hour time difference to strict COVID protocols and adjusting to unfamiliar food options. Despite it all, Erica ran a fast race, crossing the finish line in 3 hours and 33 minutes and completing her journey to all six World Majors.
Running wasn’t always such a major part of Erica’s life. She didn’t play sports growing up and began running casually in college. She ran her first marathon on her 26th birthday and completed her first Boston Marathon through a Gentle Giant entry in 2014.
When Gentle Giant joined the St. Jude fundraising team in 2017, Erica became close friends with another member of the team, and the two went on to run Boston, New York City, and Berlin together. Along the way, Erica began working with a running coach and set some ambitious goals for herself: complete all six World Majors, hit the qualifying time for a World Major, qualify for the Boston Marathon, and run a marathon in 3:30 or faster.
With the completion of Tokyo, Erica has accomplished every one of those goals.
We’re incredibly proud of Erica’s dedication over the years and excited to celebrate this major accomplishment by recognizing her as Gentle Giant’s Athlete of the Month for March.