Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge

Our Challenge team members—one from each borough of New York City—have drawn inspiration from running in order to face a significant challenge in their life. On November 6, they will be a part of the 2011 Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge, a race within the ING New York City Marathon. The Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge team will be featured on the NBC4 New York live television broadcast on race day. They will run the first 13.1 miles of the marathon together, and then race to the finish. The runner who finishes with the fastest time will become the Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge Champion, and will win a Tiffany & Co. trophy, a $1,000 donation to a charity of the runner’s choice and citywide bragging rights.

Read the Challenge Team members’ bios below, and stay tuned to our ING New York City Marathon Facebook page to follow the inspirational stories of these five incredible New Yorkers as they train for November 6!

Rob Vassilarakis, Bronx

Rob began taking running seriously after his friend, a breast cancer survivor, ran the 2009 ING New York City Marathon with the flu! He was so amazed at her dedication and commitment that he was inspired to train for a marathon himself, since he too had overcome a battle of his own. Rob, a native of New York City who has lived in the Bronx for the past 10 years, kicked a 15-year addiction to drugs four years ago. As he likes to say, he went from running the streets, to running the streets. Once homeless and addicted, he walked aimlessly from borough to borough. Last year, Rob ran his first marathon along those same streets, feeling an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and pride for all that he's conquered. He works at Harlem United and is on their running team, as well as being a member of the Van Cortlandt Track Club. In addition, Rob is a spoken word artist in the group El Grito de Poetas. Born and raised in the Bronx, Rob is thrilled to represent his borough in the Challenge.

Andrew Rausa, Brooklyn

Andrew, a second-year student at Brooklyn Law School, began running three years ago when his father, Sam, diagnosed with aggressive cancer, was told he had a small chance of surviving more than two years. Both men became depressed at the thought of the challenge ahead. Realizing that they couldn't control the disease, they changed their focus to something they could controlÑrunning. With the goal of running a marathon, Andrew and Sam regained the structure and stability that cancer had stripped from them. Training together, they were able to stay optimistic and motivated through Sam's many cancer treatments. Sam, now in remission, has run six marathons, all with Andrew, his loyal trainer, running at his side leading up to race day. This year, the ING New York City Marathon will mark the first race they're running together. Although Andrew runs a bit faster than his father, they plan to reunite at the finish line.

Salvatore Polizzi, Queens

31-year-old Salvatore Polizzi grew up in Ridgewood, Queens, bordering Brooklyn. In 2009, he ran his first marathon with Fred’s Team, raising money in support of his mom as well as an ex-girlfriend’s mother, both battling cancer. Salvatore began running as a way to fundraise for a cause that was dear to his heart, but also a way for him to clear his mind of any debilitating thoughts of what his mom was going through. It was a reminder that he wasn’t helpless; it was an opportunity to make a difference by raising money in hopes of one day eradicating cancer.

Salvatore owns and operates a restaurant in Brooklyn, and often does his training late at night, after long hours at work. However, any challenge he faces in pursuing his goals is put into perspective when he considers what his mother has endured in her battle against cancer. Salvatore is humbled by the community’s generosity and support, and is proud to represent Queens in the Challenge, and once again run to support Fred’s Team.

Michele King Gonzalez, Staten Island

Michele, now a stay-at-home mom to her young son, AJ, is a world away from where she was just two years ago. Born and raised in Staten Island, Michele attended the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point. Upon graduating, she worked with the United States Military Intelligence and was deployed to Iraq three times. Always an athlete, Michele focused on running while at West Point as a way to manage the stress of everyday life. Once deployed, Michele used running as a way to keep a part of "home" with her. "No matter how stressful the day was or how long I would be working that day [between 15-18 hours a day], I made sure to leave my desk and run—even if it was 120 degrees out." She’s excited to be back home in Staten Island with her family, and running her fourth marathon in support of the non-profit Team Red, White & Blue.

Elizabeth Maiuolo, Manhattan

Born in Argentina, Elizabeth has lived in Manhattan for the past six years. She began running in 2004 after suffering a heart attack at the young age of 28, despite feeling healthy and fit. Elizabeth's heart attack left her feeling weak, scared, and confused; she didn't want to face heart surgery, or succumb to taking pills for the rest of her life. Running was the answer for her. It helped her regain the confidence to not fear suffering another heart attack. She defied the odds, and against doctors' orders signed up for the 2008 ING New York City Marathon. Since then, she's run marathons and even ultramarathons. And most importantly, she has made a full recovery and is in great health. She attributes that to running... and to the jar of Nutella she finishes the day before any big race!