Help Jason Run the 2024 Tokyo Marathon

My running journey began playing in the streets of Hollis Queens NY chasing buses while trying to make it to school on time.  As a child for a short stint my mother allowed me to join the “Pacers,” a local team that ran out of Jamaica, Queens. It wasn’t until I was a teenager, in my junior year at Graphic Communication Art H.S that I started running for their team, the “Devils.” It was during this time that I began to get a glimpse of my capability. In my first 2 mile race at the legendary Washington Heights Armory, on the hard wood floor I took first place. Unfortunately, my coach retired shortly after that semester. Still, during my senior year, I went on to win second place in the NYC PSAL track & field in the mile and 2 mile events. I guess you could say that running is in my blood. My dad Bill Jacobs ran for Andrew Jackson High School and along with Boys and Girls High School in 1966 he set a PSAL NYC record for the 4 x 800 meter relay that holds to present day. Surprisingly for me, winning second place in the NYC PSAL track & field wasn’t good enough to obtain an athletic or academic scholarship to college, so running took a back seat to my education. 

I would run for leisure wherever I lived for the next 20 some odd years, only dreaming of running the famed New York City Marathon. It wasn’t until the age of 48, during a 3 mile run in my neighborhood, that I stumbled upon my current coach, Maria Romano of the Quicksilver Striders of Queens (no coincidence for prayers answered.) She said to me at that time, “I work for NYRR (New York Road Runners) and train people for marathons.”  The rest I tell you is history. I ran 9 circuit races that year including the famed TCS New York City Marathon for the first time. I completed it in 3:28:36.  Here I am now 5 years later after running seven marathons, and recovering from two knee injuries, preparing for yet another. I recently had the good fortune of being selected for the Tokyo Marathon through a lottery which is very difficult to gain entry.  My teammates seem to think I’m lucky, however, my faith leads me to believe it’s through some divine intervention. This past year has been the toughest of my life. I won a battle against bladder cancer. It was just over 20 years ago that I lost two grandfathers to the same disease. It is only a fitting reward to be accepted into the Tokyo Marathon on March 3, 2024. In the circuit of Abbott World Marathon Majors; I only need 3 races to complete all 6: Tokyo, London, and Boston.  

I am here requesting your assistance to make this dream a reality. I know that my ability to run this race after overcoming a terminal illness is a testament to the power of God, sheer determination, and discipline. I am filled with gratitude for all of my family and friends who continue to support me. Although I am setting a goal of 10k, please be so kind as to donate whatever you feel is on your heart to gift. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Foundation. Please feel free to share, or repost, I sincerely thank you for any and all assistance.  It is my continued dream to motivate and inspire the world through my life’s journey including running.  

Yours truly,

Jason Johnston Jacobs

7x World Marathon Runner & Recent Bladder Cancer Survivor