Don’t believe us? Check out this highlight reel from last year’s event. We challenge you not to get a little misty eyed.

WITNESS is proud to be an official charity partner in the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon for the eighth consecutive year. On Sunday, November 5, five dedicated runners will represent Team WITNESS and run for human rights change– and you can be one of them!

WITNESS welcomes runners of all levels and backgrounds, from dedicated multi-marathon champions to first-time runners. Cumulatively, our past teams have raised close to $100,000 in support of human rights defenders everywhere. They have empowered thousands of activists and average citizens to fight for change on some of the most pervasive human rights issues of our time – from war crimes in Syria to police brutality in the United States to sexual and gender-based violence around the world. And they did this while running the race of their lives…sometimes multiple years in a row!

We hope you will follow in their footsteps and join Team WITNESS in the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon.

Why WITNESS?

As images of refugees, police violence, and attacks on civilians flood our social media feeds and shape our reaction to current events, it is impossible to deny the power of visual imagery for human rights. That’s why WITNESS is making it possible for anyone, anywhere to use video and technology to protect and defend human rights. With millions of people empowered to film injustice – often with just the smartphones in their pockets – we make sure that more videos lead to more rights. By joining team WITNESS, you are helping us make it possible for anyone, anywhere to use video and technology to protect and defend human rights.

How It Works:

• Register with Team WITNESS. Registration for charity partners opens after the official lottery drawing on March 2, and closes on September 14. Note that spots are limited and will go quickly – so the sooner you reach out, the better!
• Meet your fundraising minimum by November 30, 2017 – with help from our amazing fundraising team. Each runner commits to raising $3,000 in support of WITNESS’ programs. But you don’t have to do this alone! You’ll have the full-support of our in-house fundraising team, who will help you out with strategies, tips, and additional assistance.
• Run your heart out in the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon!

As a member of Team WITNESS, you will receive:

• A guaranteed spot on the starting line on November 5;
• A personalized WITNESS jersey;
• Invitations to special WITNESS events;
• Fundraising tips and strategies to help you meet your goals;
• An amazing team of human rights defenders to train and share your journey with.

 Interested in joining the team? Contact natalie@witness.org to learn more and secure your spot today.

Join Team WITNESS in the 2016 TD Five Boro Bike Tour, and bike for human rights worldwide!

On Sunday, May 7th, ten bikers sporting fabulous orange jerseys will represent Team WITNESS…and you could be one of them. Each of our fierce and fashionable bikers will commit to raising $1,000 in support of WITNESS’ programs – making it possible for anyone, anywhere to use video and technology to protect and defend human rights.

As a member of Team WITNESS, you will receive:

• Free, guaranteed registration;
• Breakfast and lunch on the day of the event;
• A personalized jersey;
• Fundraising support;
• Invitations to special events;
• And more!

Last year’s team raised over $17,000 in support of WITNESS’ programs and had a blast doing it! Our team was led by a mother-son duo of Irish invaders, and bolstered by our own Executive Director. We challenge you to surpass their fundraising total and join us in the fight for justice and equality.

Interested in joining Team WITNESS?

Step 1: Contact natalie@witness.org to secure your spot and register with the team. The sooner you reach out, the better your chances – we already have a few bikers committed to joining the team, and spots will go quickly! Registration opens January 17.

Step 2: Set up your personalized page on Classy, and use WITNESS’ tips to start fundraising.

Step 3: Ask your family, friends, and colleagues to help you meet your fundraising goal of $1,000 by May 30. If you can think of 25 people who will give you $20, you’re already halfway there! And remember, you’re not on your own – you will have support, encouragement, and excellent fundraising ideas from Team WITNESS.

Step 4: Bike in the Tour on May 7.

With your support, WITNESS can provide activists with the skills they need to capture effective video footage and create sustainable change. Join us, for a fun day of biking and defending human rights!

These seven individuals are helping WITNESS make it possible for anyone, anywhere to use video and technology to protect and defend their human rights.

Thanks to team members Sarah, Sam, Alessandro, Bridgette, Sean, Bryce, and Carolina.

WITNESS staff will be stationed around mile 8 of the race with a big sign. We will be standing in front of Mo’s Bar & Lounge on 80 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217, starting at 10:30AM.

Come join us and cheer on our runners, who will be wearing WITNESS orange jerseys!

If you can’t make it to our cheer zone, let us know if you’ll be stationed in a different location and we’ll make sure our runners look out for you. Here is a map of the route.

Or, consider donating to our runners’ fundraising campaigns here. 

See you on race day!

Why did you decide to run for Team WITNESS for this year’s marathon?

I decided on Team Witness because I feel that the work being done by the organization in support of human rights and combatting human rights abuse is very specific and tangible. So much of what we learn these days about human rights abuse is coming from video footage, thus the importance of supporting the powerful vehicle of film as a tool against abuse.

What are your goals for this marathon?

I’d like to run it under 3 hours and qualify for the Boston Marathon

How have you been preparing for the big race?

I am training 6 days a week, using the Run-Smart program. Additionally, I try my best to practice as much yoga as I can.

What causes are you most passionate about?

I am very passionate about the Trans community as I have people close to me who are a part thereof. I feel that it’s the next/current forefront of the ongoing civil and human rights movement. I feel it needs a great deal of education and communication to help those not as close to it understand it.

Is there a video/film that is particularly important to you and why?

Yes, I studied film in college as a minor and in particular films most recently that have been very important to me are:  Beasts of No Nation, Embrace of the Serpent and Wings of Desire.  These films in particular open up new worlds of experience for me and very unique visions of how life is for each filmmaker.

Why did you decide to run the 2016 TCS NYC Marathon?

Mostly I wanted a different challenge and experience than my previous small-town marathons. I’ve run the Wineglass marathon a couple times, which takes place in my home town in Corning, upstate NY. I’m really excited about something very different; many more people, many fewer cows.

What inspired you to run for Team WITNESS?

I’m an audiovisual archivist, and I became familiar with the amazing work of WITNESS through archival channels. I very much admire their work and the resources they provide to enable individuals and archivists to document human rights abuses with video, and to ensure that it is available for use as evidence to fight for justice. I saw that Team WITNESS was looking to fill a runner spot just as I was scouting out fall marathons. I immediately – and somewhat impulsively – jumped at the opportunity, but I haven’t regretted it for a second! I’ve learned more about how WITNESS is fighting for justice against human rights abuses since I began fundraising. I’m so motivated to spread the word and raise money to support this important work. And I’m so excited to run with folks who share my passion for this cause, for the value of video documentation, and for marathon-ing!

What role has video played in your life?

Hmmm…one thing that comes to mind is being able to watch my aunt in action as a peace activist throughout my life. The first of these videos I watched of her was of her arrest in Palestine when I was very young. I remember first learning that she was in jail and thinking she must have done something really bad! One of the fellow peace activists took a video of the event and I watched it with her when she returned, and I saw that she had participated in a peaceful protest. Now I am able to keep up on her work on Facebook mostly through videos. I have so much admiration for how she conducts herself in the face of conflict. She’s told me a lot about her work and I read her speeches. It’s just totally different to view her in action and to witness events as they unfolded.

As an archivist, I think learning how to preserve and provide access to resources in a variety of formats goes hand-in-hand with our goals to preserve and provide access to a diversity of perspectives and stories. Video presents unique archival challenges, but I’ve found those challenges to be the most interesting and motivating!

What causes are you most passionate about?

I’m passionate about social justice and human rights causes, especially those that work to develop new solutions to address our current social problems, and that hold people accountable for their actions. It’s not surprising that as an archivist I’m passionate about causes to ensure that all people have access to the right information and the ability to use it, and I’m passionate about quality, accessible education for everyone.

How are you preparing for the big race?

I’m following a training plan (Hanson Brothers) aimed at achieving my goal time. I run 6 days a week, each at a designated distance, intensity and speed. It’s a big commitment and it’s hard! But I like it. As you improve, at some point it feels like you can’t take credit for all of it. When the runs get long I think, “supposedly I’m going to be able to run 16 miles today?”, but if you’ve put in your miles, you do it! The same goes for marathon day. The thrilling part is the unknown. I won’t do a 26 miler in my training, but just have to trust that all the miles over months have prepared me and go for it!

Support Bryce run her first NYC Marathon by donating to her page!