Heroes on the Run: Barbara Vallee
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 NYRR Season of Light 5K, we honor Barbara Vallee, a flight attendant for United Airlines based at the Newark Airport in New Jersey, as our Hero on the Run.
Barbara, 59, worked the last flight back from China to the U.S. before border restrictions were imposed due to the pandemic. She has continued to work as a flight attendant since then, flying both domestically and internationally, including flights to Munich, Amsterdam, and Tokyo.
For her international trips, Barbara usually has to quarantine upon arrival and stay in her hotel until she flies back.
“It’s extremely clean. They really have done a fantastic job,” she said of her flights with United. “I have never felt safer because they are very pristine with their cleaning and abide by all their rules.”
Barbara started running when she was 19 and moved to longer distances 11 years ago. “The first 5K I did was with a cousin 10 years ago,” she said. “I didn’t even know what I was doing and came first in my age group, and that inspired me to keep going.” She has gone on to complete numerous 10Ks and a half marathon (pictured above, center), in addition to taking part in the World Airlines Road Race twice with the United team, once in Dubai and once in Singapore.
Barbara has continued running during the pandemic to help relieve stress. “Running is absolutely the best medicine,” she said. As a licensed social worker, Barbara has also been volunteering with United’s Employee Assistance Program, offering fellow union members support during the pandemic. She recommends her colleagues do any sort of physical activity as stress relief—running or anything that suits them and gets them active.
Follow #HeroesOnTheRun to join us in celebrating Barbara and all of our everyday heroes.