Au Pair in America at the 2025 TCS NYC Marathon: A Day of Community, Culture & Celebration

Every year, the TCS NYC Marathon is one of the most exciting days in New York City, with crowds lining the streets and runners from around the world taking on the iconic 26.2-mile course — and 2025 was no exception. Au Pair in America was proud to be part of the celebration once again, with volunteer au pairs from the Tri-State area, Community Counselors, staff, and our sponsored runners coming together for a day filled with connection, energy, and international spirit.

Showing Up With Purpose

Our involvement in the NYC Marathon reflects our values — community, cultural exchange, and giving back. Volunteering at the race gives au pairs a chance to experience a beloved New York City tradition while contributing to something bigger than themselves. It’s a meaningful way to feel part of local life during their year in the United States.

Volunteers Who Made the Day Shine

Au Pair in America volunteers played a big role along the course! By handing out water and encouraging runners, they brought steady enthusiasm throughout the day. Many au pairs said volunteering helped them feel connected to the city and to people from around the world.

“I had so much fun volunteering at the marathon this weekend. I met some lovely Au pairs and made so many new friends such a wonderful opportunity.” – Au pair Carissa from the United Kingdom

“The experience was amazing and I loved being part of it!” – Au pair Beatriz from Brazil

“I was at mile 10 and had so much fun. Such a great experience.” – Au pair Tipagorn from Thailand

“It was a unique experience, thank you so much for encouraging us to do it. I really felt the energy of the marathon.” – Au pair Valentina from Colombia

Celebrating Our Sponsored Runners

Au Pair in America was also proud to sponsor several runners in the 2025 NYC Marathon. Each one had a personal reason for taking on the marathon — a goal they’d been working toward for months, the chance to represent their home country or U.S. community on a global stage. Their determination, preparation, and excitement inspired our volunteers, who made sure to cheer them on throughout the day.

“It was such an amazing experience. It was the BEST day of my life… I cried so much, but I was so proud, it was amazing.” – Méline, an au pair from France hosted in Pennsylvania who trained and ran the NYC Marathon with her host dad

“What an amazing experience. I have been trying to take it all in. I love marathoning; it feels like recess for adults and I am eternally grateful for the incredible support from our colleagues and office staff. I plan to keep running for as long as my legs will take me…

I am thrilled to share the joy of fitness and facing up to life’s challenges with my au pairs. I feel there is a definitive parallel when embarking on this challenge: ‘Dare I try? What if I fail? I’m scared but I know if I succeed it will be awesome…’ All the feelings our au pairs must experience as they decide to take the challenge of traveling to the USA, living with a family and learning new traditions and ways of doing things and, being far from their own family. I feel our au pairs are incredibly brave and tell them that they have immense courage. 

Thank you for all of the kind words, support and the incredible love on the course. A huge shout out to the au pair volunteers! They, like all race volunteers, are stellar and no race is possible without their dedication.” – Andrea, an Au Pair in America Community Counselor who ran in this year’s 2025 NYC Marathon

A Celebration of Global Community

One of the best parts of the marathon is seeing so many cultures and languages come together in one place. Our au pairs represented a wide range of countries and backgrounds, and their presence added to the international feel of the event.

Watching au pairs, Community Counselors, staff, and New Yorkers share in the same celebration captured exactly what cultural exchange is all about: people from different places connecting through shared experiences.

Heartfelt Moments From the Course

The NYC Marathon was filled with memorable moments: au pairs calling out encouragement in their native languages, volunteers passing out much-needed water to runners, and staff swapping stories about past marathons. These small moments showed the strength of our community and the friendships formed along the way.

An extra special moment from the day was when Nathaly, who volunteered at the NYC Marathon while she was an au pair in 2022, met up with her former Community Counselor as a runner herself in this year’s 2025 race!

Thank You to Our Incredible Community

Thank you to every au pair, Community Counselor, staff member, and sponsored runner who took part in the 2025 TCS NYC Marathon. Your energy and enthusiasm made the day unforgettable, and we’re proud to be part of an event that celebrates resilience, community, and the spirit of cultural exchange.

We look forward to being back next year — cheering, volunteering, and celebrating together.