Among the standout performances was Jillian Williams, Class of 2011, who delivered an exceptional marathon debut, crossing the finish line in 2:54 and placing 93rd out of 27,129 women.

“The race was a lot of fun, which I didn’t think I would ever say about running for almost three hours straight,” Williams said. “My original goal was to break three hours, because after my half marathon I knew that was possible. But as training went on and I logged more workouts and miles, I kept lowering that target and eventually settled on a 2:55 goal.”

Williams had previously raced two half marathons, including a 1:24 performance at the Brooklyn Half in May. The 2011 Dalton graduate spent two years on Yale’s cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field teams, though injuries kept her sidelined for much of that time. She admitted she eventually fell out of love with running and stepped away from the team after her sophomore year.

Williams eyed a return to running at the 2018 NYC Marathon, but recurring injuries forced her to withdraw and ultimately led to the first of three hip surgeries. After her third procedure in August 2024, she began training again this past December, marking the start of her long-awaited comeback.

“The environment of the race was awesome and surpassed all expectations,” Williams said. “I am typically a pretty mental runner, but getting to Staten Island and preparing to run, I felt oddly confident and calm. I think some of that came from just being excited and grateful to finally run the race I’ve wanted to since I first signed up seven years ago.”

Williams laughed as she reflected on her days at Dalton, admitting she once “hated” running anything longer than a mile. Now, the 2023 Dalton Athletics Hall of Fame inductee is already looking ahead to more marathons.  “I would love to do all the majors, especially the ones outside the U.S. While I hit my goal, I still wonder if I could have gotten closer to 2:50. I’ll save that for a faster course.”

Williams wasn’t the only familiar face on the course. At the starting line, she ran into fellow 2011 graduate Walt Laws-McDonald, who completed his first full marathon in 3:26.

Another standout came from 2016 graduate Dylan Fine, whose 2:46 placed him 810th overall and 784th among men. Fine ran at Georgetown following a stellar Dalton career that included the 2015 Ivy League Cross Country title and the 2016 Ivy League Championship in the 3,200 meters.

Two of Fine’s former Dalton teammates, brothers Peter and Max Gardner, also took on the 26.2-mile challenge. Peter, Class of 2018, finished his fifth NYC Marathon in 2:55:30, while Max, Class of 2016, crossed the line in 3:23.

“I’ve always watched my dad run the marathon and dreamed of being part of the best day in New York City,” Peter Gardner said. “It’s such a remarkable event where the entire city comes together like one big family, cheering each other on. This year was especially meaningful because I got to experience the day with my brother. I’m already looking forward to next November, when my brother, my dad, and I will all be lining up together on the Verrazano Bridge.”

First, Peter will take on his eighth overall marathon in London in April 2026.

Former Dalton Girls Basketball player Kara Siegel ‘19 also delivered a strong showing, crossing the finish in 3:32. Dalton’s current head Indoor Track & Field coach, Dana Smolen, completed her sixth marathon in 4:20, and Dalton Athletics’ own Cerys MacLelland finished her second NYC Marathon in 4:09.

Taken together, the performances by Williams, her fellow alumni, and Dalton community members painted a vivid picture of the school’s enduring running tradition. From first-time marathoners to seasoned veterans, each runner carried a piece of the Dalton spirit through all 26.2 miles. And with several already eyeing their next starting line, it’s clear the tiger legacy isn’t slowing down anytime soon.