Ciara McGee is proud to be running her very first marathon with Team Answer the Call!
Running the New York City Marathon has been a personal goal for Ciara ever since she moved to New York to attend Fordham University in 2018. She is honored to run for a cause that hits close to home as several of her family members, including her grandfather, served in the Philadelphia Police Department. Ciara has also previously run two 5Ks in memory of Philadelphia Police Officer James O’Connor, who was killed in the line of duty in March 2020.
She first took up running during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when, like many others, she needed something to do and a way to clear her head. Although she used to avoid running at all costs—even choosing softball as a kid because it required less of it—she now appreciates the peace and clarity it brings. She has since completed the Brooklyn Half Marathon and several solo half marathon distances for fun.
This year, Ciara is balancing more than just her marathon training. She is also studying for the bar exam and started a new job, so managing her time has been her biggest challenge. Still, she finds running to be a helpful escape. “It’s peaceful, a good way to de-stress,” she says. “And the longer you’re running, the less time you have to study.”
Ciara will be running with her friend Aisling, who is also part of Team Answer the Call this year. On runs, her listening choices change day to day—sometimes she prefers music and other times she turns to podcasts, depending on her mood and the length of the run. Outside of training, Ciara enjoys going to baseball games and spending time outdoors. After a run, her favorite post-race treat is something sweet, and she always looks forward to bagels at the finish line.
She discovered Answer the Call while looking for a charity to support, and the organization stood out to her both for its mission and its personal relevance. As the granddaughter of a police officer, Ciara feels a strong connection to the families served. “To the families of fallen first responders, I just want to say thank you,” Ciara shares. “Thank you to whoever in your family has put their life on the line to protect others. It is incredibly meaningful to be able to run for you and to show our support.” We are so excited to have Ciara on Team Answer the Call and look forward to cheering her on as she crosses the finish line this November!
Click here to support Ciara’s fundraising efforts!
Answer the Call’s 2025 Summer Intern, Michael Mauro, conducted this interview and wrote this blog post.
