LONDON, England – For Kate Manzella, the road to the London Marathon was not just another race. It was the fulfillment of a long-held goal, a step closer to global achievement, and an experience woven with purpose.
As the athletics business director and athletics financial aid coordinator at D'Youville University, Manzella is no stranger to balancing commitment and ambition. But this spring, she took that drive overseas, competing in one of the world's most iconic races, the 46th edition of the London Marathon.
Manzella's decision to run internationally was not spontaneous. The London Marathon had been on her radar for years, part of a broader personal mission to complete the six original World Marathon Majors. With only London and Tokyo remaining, 2026 became the year she decided to take the leap.
"It is a difficult race to get entry to being a non-UK resident," Manzella explained. "One of my goals is to run the six original world major marathons. London and Tokyo are the two left on my list so I decided to go for it this year."
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Her path to the starting line came through SportsAid, a London-based nonprofit that supports emerging athletes. Running for a cause added deeper meaning to the journey, blending personal ambition with community impact.
"I love traveling, so being able to participate in a marathon overseas is a perfect way to explore new places as well as achieve my goals," she said.
Manzella entered London with recent experience from the Boston Marathon, one of the most storied and physically demanding races in the world. Comparing the two offered insight into how varied marathon running can be.
"The courses are very different," she noted. "Boston is hilly and challenges your body in ways that a flatter course does not. For me, a course like Boston is mentally more difficult because you know the physical part will be grueling at times."
London, by contrast, presented a smoother course but introduced a different obstacle: international travel. Adjusting to a new time zone and environment added another layer of preparation.
Despite their differences, both races shared a common thread: energy.
"In my opinion, the two races have much of the same incredible energy and fan support along the way," Manzella said. "You are surrounded by cheering crowds and other runners every step of the way so you are able to draw on that energy to keep pushing through the last part of the race."
What Manzella did not know when she crossed the finish line was that she had just become part of history and delivered an impressive performance in the process.
She completed the race with a time of 3:17.28, placing 88th out of 2,997 runners in her category. Among women competitors, she finished 1,000th out of 26,162, and 6,426th out of 59,830 runners, a testament to both her preparation and perseverance on one of the world's biggest stages.
The 46th London Marathon set a Guinness World Record for the highest number of participants to complete a marathon. The event also featured record-breaking performances at the elite level and the highest number of female participants in the race's history.
"It was an amazing experience from start to finish," Manzella said. "Although we didn't know it at the time, it was a historical race for many reasons."
Reflecting on the moment, her pride is evident not just in her personal accomplishment, but in being part of something larger.
"I am excited and proud to be a part of an event with such amazing accomplishments," she added. "I feel so fortunate to have been able to accomplish one of my personal goals while giving to an important charity and being part of a historical day."
For Manzella, the London Marathon was not just about miles logged or medals earned. It was about persistence, global perspective, and purpose. With Tokyo now the final piece in her World Marathon Majors quest, her journey is far from over.
But if London proved anything, it is that she is not just chasing finish lines. She is embracing the experiences, challenges, and history that come with them.
