A recreational runner and fitness buff for many years, Marie Dunn has flirted with competing in the New York City Marathon (NYCM) for some time. For the St Ann-born native, completing the world’s most famous long distance race would be a major achievement, especially after overcoming personal challenges.

Dunn was initially turned down by New York Road Runners, organisers of the event, which is scheduled for November 5. She re-applied through Children in Conflict, one of the charities recognised by the NYCM, and was accepted.

Under conditions of the race, Dunn is required to raise US$3,000 for Children in Conflict by December. The 46 year-old author has been in training since February and ran her first solo half marathon on May 27, completing 13.27 miles in two hours, 39 minutes.

“My life experiences forced me to embrace challenges and prepared me for this moment. Growing up in the Caribbean, I was athletic and ran track while in school, but my illnesses consistently got in the way. As such, there was a need to challenge my mind and body. I wanted to test my endurance and resilience. As a result, it was no surprise when I had the itch to run the NYC Marathon,” Dunn told OBSERVER ONLINE. “Running a marathon can be challenging, yet rewarding. This is the perfect opportunity to push me beyond my physical and mental limits. A chance to achieve a goal that seems far-fetched to many.”

Born and raised in Hermitage, St Ann, Dunn migrated to the United States in 2001. Her “illnesses” started in the late 1990s while a contestant in the Miss Jamaica Surrey pageant, when she suffered a seizure on stage.

Transferred to hospital in Kingston, Dunn recalls being in a coma for two weeks and placed in the Internal Care Unit. After migrating to the US, she said an assault by a client at work resulted in two surgeries “and me spiraling downward into a dark precipice of depression”.

Dunn overcame adversity to earn degrees in English Literature (from Mercy College) and social work (from Fordham University). She has also written three books, the previous being Bold Soul-Searching Monologues, released last August.

While being a published author is fulfilling, Dunn believes competing in the NYCM would eclipse that. She trains six days a week and has prep events scheduled for August, September and October.

“My ultimate goal is to find a pace that feels right to me and flow with it. I am not trying to win the NYCM; I plan to get to the finish line,” she said.

Nearly 48,000 runners finished the 2022 NYCM which was won by Kenyans Evans Chebet and Sharon Lokedi.