A New Experience Led To Personal Growth For EC Alumna

Photo courtesy of Quentin Mui Photos. In November, Leah Cunningham ’18 ran as a guide for a blind runner in the New York City Marathon

For Elmira College alumna Leah Cunningham ’18, Vice President of Social and Influencer at Calcium+Company, becoming a runner, let alone running in the New York City Marathon, was not something she envisioned for herself. But she found that venturing into something new led to an experience well beyond her expectations.

Cunningham leads the social media and influencer practice at her ad agency in New York City. She credits the Business Administration faculty, particularly Dr. Alison Wolfe, with her professional success.

“Her classes and teaching enabled me to enter an agency immediately after graduation,” she said.

Her running success is a different matter. Cunningham says she wasn’t the kind of person her EC classmates would envision as a “runner,” but about three years ago, she decided to give it a go. That’s when her friends told her about Achilles International, a non-profit organization that pairs people with disabilities with able-bodied athletes to facilitate greater participation and equity in endurance sports. The organization has local chapters throughout the world and Cunningham volunteers with the Achilles Kids program in New York. However, when an open call came to guide an adult international runner during the NYC Marathon, Cunningham raised her hand.

“I said yes because, while I never wanted to be a marathoner, I would do it for Achilles,” she shared. “It’s not my race, it’s their race.”

Being a relatively new runner and with only six weeks to prepare, Cunningham readied herself for the marathon by working with a coach. Her athlete, Ivan, an international runner with Achilles Equador, had another guide, so Cunningham joined the team to help them navigate NYC. However, she didn’t meet her running mates until just before the race and they did not speak English.

“I used Google Translate the entire time,” she said with a laugh.

Because Ivan is fully blind, Cunningham held a tether, which acted as a communication link between them. With it, Cunningham alerted Ivan to where to turn and if there were obstacles. “Running is a uniquely understood language.”

The race went well and Ivan beat his personal best time by 10 minutes.

A New Experience Led To Personal Growth For EC Alumna

Photo courtesy of Cunningham

Cunningham found being a guide in one of the best-known marathons in the world fulfilling. She hopes it serves as an example to younger generations about the value of saying “yes” to new experiences.

“I wouldn’t have been able to help him if I didn’t give myself the grace to do something I didn’t think I was able to do,” said Cunningham.

“It’s never too late to start something new. You might end up loving something you never thought you would enjoy.”

Cunningham is excited to continue growing as a runner and volunteer with Achilles International. She recently participated in a 5K with the Achilles Kids program and looks forward to running a half marathon in the spring.

‘No matter how fast you go or new places you go, there’s always more.”

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