Transplant Marathon

An Extremely Rare Accomplishment 

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I’ve scoured the internet trying to find another example of a kidney donor and his/her recipient running a marathon together. I couldn’t find any previous occurrence in the United States. Never had it previously happened in the NYC Marathon, the Boston Marathon, the Chicago Marathon or any other World Marathon Major. The only other occurrence throughout the world, in which a kidney recipient ran a marathon with his donor, was a year earlier (2023) in Israel. What Jorge and I accomplished is extremely rare, and it will not be our last marathon together. 

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Jorge ran to show people that kidney donors can lead very active lives after donating a kidney. We hope that it changes people’s fear and perception about becoming a kidney donor. We hope that our story will save at least one life, but preferably many, many more. 

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Many potential donors are worried that they can’t live an active life post transplant. Seeing a kidney donor like Jorge running a 5K, a half-marathon, and a marathon, gives confidence to individuals on the fence about donating.

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I ran the NYC Marathon to give hope to kidney patients who are waiting for a life-saving kidney donation. And, to show them and others that kidney recipients can do hard things, like running the NYC Marathon.

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It’s a Marathon, not a Sprint

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You have to pace yourself to get to the finish line. If you start a marathon with a sprint then you’ll most likely never reach the finish line. Living with Chronic Kidney Disease and waiting for a kidney donor is sort of like a marathon - you have to pace yourself to get to the finishing line (a kidney transplant).

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At the start you have no idea how long it’s going to take to find a donor. You might have to pace yourself through dialysis and you might have to pace yourself through ever increasing fatigue. During a marathon you can’t give up if you want to reach the finish line. And, living with kidney disease you can’t give up if you want to receive a kidney donation. Stay positive. Stay healthy, and don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.

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January 10, 2026

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I’m writing this part of my story less than a week before my second Kidneyversary. It’s hard to believe that two years have passed. This January 10th is much different than last year, because I feel normal. This year I’m just someone who had a kidney transplant and takes some meds, but who also happens to be in the best shape of his life. I don’t see any limitations on what I can do. My kidney numbers have been extremely consistent throughout 2025 - I’ve been holding steady at a 1.4 and 1.5 creatinine level. And, my meds are consistent. I feel great. I feel normal. 

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After the Chicago Marathon I discovered that no kidney transplant recipient has ever run all six of the World Marathon Majors; NYC, Boston, Chicago, London, Berlin and Tokyo. The Six Stars. 

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Sydney was added as the seventh World Marathon Major on the day Jorge and I ran the NYC Marathon, November 3, 2024. 

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As far as I’ve been able to discover I am the only kidney transplant recipient to run all three of the U.S. World Marathon Majors; NYC, Boston, and Chicago. 

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Today, on my second anniversary, I have a new goal; to become the first kidney transplant recipient to earn Six Stars. London, Berlin, and Tokyo are next! 

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Excerpts from Transplant Marathon and the upcoming 2025 update to my book. Purchase the original edition on B&N or Amazon, or;

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Venmo $25 to @BostonTweet (Tom O'Keefe) with your name and address for a signed copy. US ONLY.