【Tokyo Marathon 2026 Charity Runner Interview Vol.2】Running with Friends and Enjyoying the Journey— Chanda from New York, USA

As part of our interview series introducing the charity runners taking on the Tokyo Marathon 2026 Charity, this second feature shines a spotlight on Chanda, a runner from New York, USA.

Born and raised in New York, Chanda has been running marathons for an incredible 15 years.
She has already completed New York, Berlin, London, and Chicago, with only Tokyo and Boston left to complete all six World Marathon Majors.

The Joy of Running Together

Chanda runs with her running community four to five days a week.
“Sundays are our recovery fun run days — we take it easy and run about three miles, then go out together for breakfast afterward,” she said with a bright smile.
It’s clear that the sense of community she’s built through running has become a true source of energy in her everyday life.

A “Running Journey” in Japan

Two years ago, Chanda visited Japan to see her sister, who lives in Okinawa.
“This time, I’ll be running the Tokyo Marathon 2026 Charity with my friend. We’re planning to spend about ten days in Japan, traveling to Okinawa, Kyoto, and Osaka — and then finishing the trip with the Tokyo Marathon 2026 Charity,” she said.
“Finishing with the marathon is like a huge celebration!” she added with a smile.

Combining travel and running has become her favorite way to keep her passion alive.
“To keep running in my life, I feel like it would be better if I make a vacation and running experience out of it at the same time. I like that kind of vacation!”

Discovering a City Through Running

“I love running in other countries. I think running is the best way to really get to know a city,” Chanda says.

City marathons give runners a unique chance to feel the atmosphere of a place and soak in the energy of cheering crowds.
Chanda is especially looking forward to experiencing this at the Tokyo Marathon 2026 Charity.

“I want to take in the streets of Tokyo with my own feet. I do have a goal time in mind, but above all, I just want to enjoy it.”

Discovering the Meaning of “Running for Others”

For Chanda, running became a way to make a difference in people’s lives because of a personal experience.

“One of my former classmates passed away from cancer at the age of 37. To support his family, my friends and I organized a 5K charity run.”

That was the first time she truly understood what it means to run for someone else.

Since then, Chanda has been passionate about contributing to society through running.
She is especially concerned about children, families, and natural disasters caused by climate change — which is why she resonates deeply with the work of ADRA and chose to participate as our charity Runner this year.

The Meaning Behind the Medal

Finally, when asked what motivates her to continue running, Chanda talked about the medal she receives after finishing, choosing her words with a hint of emotion.

“The moment you receive the medal is really special – there’s something about that accomplishment. You’ve trained hard and dedicated yourself to it, and so many good feelings come rushing in when you get the medal. It lets you know that girls can do hard things!”

Running with her friends, enjoying the journey, and running for others — Chanda embodies all of these.

As she takes to the streets of Tokyo, her determination and joy are sure to inspire many people along the way.

Stay tuned for the next installment, where we’ll introduce another runner taking on the Tokyo Marathon 2026 Charity as an ADRA Japan charity Runner.