# @nycmarathon on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx1TLF-Nbro
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/9224286-nycmarathon-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/9c0ec6411e.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-09-30T22:31:06.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** TCS New York City Marathon (@nycmarathon) — https://gondola.cc/nycmarathon

## Caption

“I run because I love a challenge and I love the solitude.” 💪

Meet Lou Gallo👋, an NYRR member who is running in this year’s #TCSNYCMarathon through the 9+1 program that gives members an opportunity to earn a guaranteed, non-complimentary entry to the marathon.

Lou started running because he thought it was a good way to build up his lungs and get off asthma medication.

“Running saved my life. It physically and mentally helped me have more confidence. I started to sleep better. I craved healthier foods; I started to breathe better.”

Lou has taught music to kids for the last 30 years. One year he went into work at the Rockefeller University Child and Family Center the day after finishing the marathon and a student asked him if he won. Another student said he looked for him on course but couldn’t find him.

“I could see they wanted to know more about the race, so I asked them if they wanted to run a marathon. I got up on my feet singing, ‘Let’s run, let’s go, you can do it, make it to the end.’ Everybody followed along, pretending to race. I sang, ‘Slap some hands, drink the water down, pour the rest on your head, throw the cup on the ground!’ I could tell they loved throwing the cup on the ground!” 

Those are some of the lyrics to the song he wrote, appropriately called “Marathon Song,” that he performed at the 2011 New York City Marathon for three and a half hours as runners passed through Sunset Park in Brooklyn. 🎶

This year will be his 13th New York City Marathon and his third running with his older son. 🤯

“In 2017 my son called me to say we should do the 9+1 so we could run together in 2019. I was ecstatic!”

He’s hoping his younger son will be joining them in 2024.

“This year my younger son is doing the 9+1 so hopefully in 2024, 40 years after my first race, I will be running with both of my children. That’s my dream.”

Let’s send some 🧡 to Lou in the comments as he takes on his 13th #TCSNYCMarathon and learn more about becoming an NYRR member at the link in bio. ✍️

#MemberMoment

📸: marathonfoto

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Image description: NYRR member and thirteen-time TCS New York City Marathon finisher Lou Gallo competing at the 2022 TCS New York City Marathon.

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## Tags

membermoment, tcsnycmarathon

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