Héroes que corren Tatiana Rojas

For every virtual race in 2020, NYRR is highlighting frontline and essential workers in our Heroes on the Run series. Running is a source of strength, especially over these last several months, and we are grateful for the everyday heroes who keep our community safe and healthy. These are the people that keep us running—sometimes while running themselves. These runners inspire us with their courage, commitment, and selflessness and it is our privilege to recognize them. 

This week with the Virtual Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K, we honor Tatiana Rojas, a case management coordinator at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, as our Hero on the Run.

A former gym teacher from Bolivia, Tatiana immigrated to the U.S. in 1984. Now 59, she’s an avid runner who has completed over 40 NYRR races—including the New York City Marathon in 2010 and 2017—and has run for NYRR Team for Kids.

As a case management coordinator, Tatiana follows up with COVID-19 patients by phone after they are discharged. Unfortunately, early on in the pandemic Tatiana herself got sick with COVID. On April 18, she tested positive for the virus after experiencing shortness of breath, weakness, and headaches.

Despite her fitness, Tatiana’s recovery was difficult. She was not able to work for over two months. “I felt that my strength was running out,” she said. “I began to pray and ask God to give me strength to try to walk.”

As she slowly recovered, she started walking again, then jogging. “Little by little I was doing a mile, two, 5K, 10K,” she said. She’s completed or signed up for eight NYRR Volvo Virtual Racing events since May (including the Virtual Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K), as well as four virtual half marathons.

Tatiana will run the 2020 Virtual TCS New York City Marathon. “I am ready to run the virtual marathon,” she said. This will be her second Virtual TCS New York City Marathon—she ran it in 2019 on a route in Queens and Manhattan. This year she plans to run in Central Park.

“Running the Virtual TCS New York City Marathon last year gave me a lot of experience that I will be able to use for 2020,” she said. She knows she is well-prepared. “I feel very good now, with a lot of energy, and I also feel happy.”

Follow #HeroesOnTheRun to join us in celebrating Tatiana and all of our everyday heroes. NYRR will feature a runner who is serving or served on the front lines of the pandemic as our Hero on the Run for each of our remaining virtual races in 2020. Learn more and complete our survey if you'd like to be considered as a Hero on the Run.