History

"Running the marathon is the best way I know to fight this disease." — Fred Lebow

Fred's Team was named in honor of running legend and co-founder of the New York City Marathon, Fred Lebow — a man who dared to dream of a world without cancer.

While being treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in 1991, Fred jogged down the hospital hallways, determined to run to raise money for a cure. Fred encouraged runners competing in that year’s New York City Marathon to solicit donations for each mile they ran. The response was overwhelming: More than $650,000 was raised to benefit Sloan-Kettering. In 1992, Fred asked for donations to his own New York City Marathon run, the final of his storied career.

Inspired by this one remarkable idea, Fred's Team has grown to include thousands of dedicated athletes and novices alike, competing in hundreds of events worldwide, raising millions of dollars each year. Since 1995, the team has raised more than $46 million to fund pioneering research that saves lives and brings hope to countless men, women, and children.