Monday, December 2, 2024
Baldwin native Paul Wehr crossed the finish line of the New York City Marathon on Nov. 3, completing a grueling 26.2-mile race that not only tested his physical limits, but also served as a tribute to his sister, Kayla, who has been diagnosed with Huntington’s disease.
Wehr, who had no prior marathon experience, managed to complete the race with a time of 4:47.
In June, he told the Herald his goal was to raise $5,500, as well as awareness of the disease, and he believes he was able to achieve both, just in time for the race.
He participated on Team Hope, the signature grassroots fundraising campaign organized by the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, which offers support to individuals battling the disease nationwide.
His initial alliance to the organization began when he participated in his first Team Hope walk in 2021, as his sister began displaying symptoms of the disease, but she wasn’t officially diagnosed until the following year.
Huntington’s disease is a neurological disorder that causes the gradual breakdown of nerve cells in the brain, leading to difficulties with movement, cognitive decline and emotional changes.
Recent estimates show that about 41,000 Americans currently have visible symptoms of the disease.
“I felt proud that I was able to raise $5,500, and the whole Huntington disease team raised between $160,000 to $170,000 altogether at that point,” Wehr said. “I was just like, ‘All I have to do is keep moving (during the race), and I’ll be alright.’ And that’s what I did.”
Wehr was an all-wrestling athlete at Baldwin High School while also participating as a member of the Baldwin PAL judo club. He continued as a student-athlete while attending Hunter College and after he transferred to SUNY Oswego.
Wehr explained how dieting and pacing himself while training for the marathon played a factor in him being able to cross the finish line. His longest training run was 13 miles, he said.
“I was eating a very clean diet — low carbohydrate,” he said. “The week of, I did a really big carbohydrate load and just hoped that the fuel would carry most of the way, and I felt fantastic.
“The adrenaline and motivation helped push me the rest of the way,” he added. “I didn’t bunk out at all, didn’t slow down, walk or stop, other than talking to people on the side.”
One of those he greeted on the sidelines along the way was his sister, who gave him a big “sweaty hug,” he said, adding that he was wearing his Huntington’s disease shirt.
Wehr said he envisions himself participating in next year’s NYC Marathon, focusing more on raising money while continuing to be an advocate to the community.
“I want to be a lot more active online — step out of my comfort zone and talk about my experience,” he said. “It’s not just about the money — it’s also about the advocacy. I believe being more active online about it would get a lot more funding and a lot more eyes on it.”
