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Meet the Coaching Staff

Your coaches, assistant coaches, and mentors are passionate about Fred’s Team, MSK, and all things related to running. They’ve worked with countless runners over the years and are ready to help you achieve your goals.


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Coaches

Jeff Rochford

Jeff Rochford

I have been with Fred’s Team since 1998, and I’m proud of not only my involvement and the development of our coaching program in 2003 but the opportunity to coach thousands of teammates through the years. I’ve run 15 New York City Marathons, the Antarctica Marathon, and an Ironman in New York City. I am a USA Track & Field – and USA Triathlon – certified coach. I am also a licensed STGrid swim coach.

Like so many of us, cancer has personally affected me and my family. My Uncle Fred lost his eyesight to cancer at age 5. Cancer also took the life of my Uncle Ben and my swim coach and mentor Doug. My father was a cancer survivor. Sadly, my experience is shared by millions. Coaching and running with Fred’s Team is how I help support the fight against cancer.

David Slutsky

David Slutsky

While I always believed I could finish a marathon, I never understood why anyone would want to run 26.2 miles. After completing my first marathon in 2003, I finally understood why marathon runners are so passionate.

I’ve run a total of 18 marathons — 15 and counting with Fred’s Team! What I love most about Fred’s Team is the experience of training with an incredible group of people who are all committed to helping others by running. There is no greater feeling than seeing our runners out on the course supporting each other, crossing the finish line, and accomplishing their goals.

Tom Hansen

Tom Hansen

Originally a South Dakota farm boy, I now call New York City home. I’m a doctor, a marathon runner, and a fanatical Fred’s Team member. I’ve run 17 New York City Marathons and another 23 marathons and ultramarathons in the United States and around the world. No matter where I run, I’m always wearing my Fred’s Team orange.

My passion for running found new depth and meaning when I began training with Fred’s Team. Part of my job as a pathologist involves diagnosing cancer, and we all know someone affected by this disease. I’m proud to raise money and awareness for cancer research and combine it with my love of running. What could be better than running and training with my friends and helping them achieve their goals?

Marci Glotzer

Marci Glotzer

I ran my first New York City Marathon with Fred’s Team in 2006 to celebrate my return to running after back surgery. I quickly discovered that running with Fred’s Team is like eating potato chips — once you start, it’s hard to stop! Since I started with Fred’s Team, I’ve completed 10 marathons, three Olympic triathlons, and four half-Ironmans, so far. Many of us on Fred’s Team, myself included, have a personal connection to MSK. Knowing the direct impact that Fred’s Team fundraising has made on treatments and cures for so many different cancers keeps me coming back year after year.

Everything I learned about running I learned from Fred’s Team. I’m looking forward to sharing that knowledge with you and helping you all get across the finish line!


Assistant Coaches

Arthur Li

Arthur Li

After running the New York City Marathon on my own in 2006, 2008, and 2010, I wanted to run my next race with a team for a special cause. I have trained with Fred’s Team for the past 12 years, and the incredible coaching, support, challenging-but-fun training runs with new friends, and exhilarating marathon race day keep me coming back. Whenever I am sporting my orange Fred’s Team shirt, I feel invigorated with team spirit.

I am honored to be part of a world-class coaching team, and I cannot wait to help my teammates achieve their goals. I encourage everyone to cherish the training journey. Most importantly, let’s have fun and imagine a world without cancer.

Howie Voletsky

Howie Voletsky

I’m a dedicated marathon enthusiast who has completed races like the Chicago Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon, New Jersey Marathon, and Berlin Marathon. My favorite event is the New York City Marathon, a race that ignites my competitive spirit. It’s also the race where I met my wife, who was running with Fred’s Team too.

I have 15 New York City Marathon finishes under my belt, and eight of them have been with Fred's Team. I’ve also conquered two Ironmans and numerous 70.3-mile races. Along with my passion for running, I am trained as a Level 1 USA Track & Field Coach to guide others in athletic pursuits. I’m eager to support both newcomers and seasoned pros as they navigate their running journeys, especially if it’s training for the New York City Marathon.

Udee Narayan

Udee Narayan

Like many of us, cancer has affected several of my loved ones. I have run with Fred’s Team since 2009 to help support breakthrough cancer research at MSK. I have also volunteered with MSK Kids for over 10 years and consider my volunteer work and commitment to Fred’s Team among my proudest accomplishments. I was never a distance runner. In fact, I hated it. But I have always been committed to an active lifestyle, participating in martial arts, weight training, and track and field. Through my experiences in those sports, I have seen the value of compassion, discipline, and consistency and the reward in helping people implement lasting changes in their lives and the ways in which running can be a vehicle for the change we would like to see in the world.


Mentors

Abby Kaori

Abby Kaori

I joined Fred’s Team in 2006 to run my first marathon. At the time, I could barely run 1 mile. Through the constant guidance of the coaches as well as relentless support and cheers from my fellow runners, I found myself at the New York City Marathon start in Staten Island, feeling completely confident and comfortable. I owe all of this to Fred’s Team. I’ve run a total of seven marathons, and six of them have been with Fred’s Team. It has been my pleasure and privilege to be a part of the team as a runner and mentor. I hope to help you all experience a fantastic season.

Diana Cruz Solash

Diana Cruz Solash

While training for my second marathon in 2015, my mother-in-law passed away from brain cancer. I decided then that all my future marathons would be for a cause, and Fred’s Team was a natural choice because both my parents are cancer survivors. I joined the program in 2016 and have run eight marathons with Fred’s Team since then. It is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I was initially concerned about whether I would enjoy running with a group. This quickly faded as I got to know my teammates. Our coaches take great care in preparing and boosting the confidence of everyone, and my fellow runners inspire me with their strength and passion. One of my favorite proverbs is “If you want to run fast, run alone. If you want to run far, run together.” I am humbled to be a mentor and look forward to running far together.

Edie Silsdorf

Edie Silsdorf

As an MSK schoolteacher, I was familiar with Fred’s Team but never considered running a marathon. However, in 2015, my mother was diagnosed with her second cancer. Watching her go through treatment again at the same time as I was working with children facing cancer, I decided that I had to give back. The next thing I knew, I had registered with Fred’s Team to run the 2015 New York City Marathon to raise money. Being in my 50s and never having run more than a 10K, I was very nervous about my new challenge. Fred’s Team took me from 5 miles to 26.2 miles in five months. The coaches, mentors, and teammates were always there to provide motivation, support, advice, and company. I’m extremely honored to be a mentor. Fred’s Team has become an integral part of my life. I am proud to wear orange!

John Fiore

John Fiore

In June 2005, my dad passed away from lung cancer without having the chance to see his two grandchildren grow up. In 2006, I decided to run the New York City Marathon a second time. (The first time was in 2004, and I was undertrained, which made for a long day.) While researching running charities, I came across Fred’s Team. Eighteen years and 19 marathons later, I am not with a team, I’m with the Fred’s Team family. Together we can make incredible strides.

Whether you are in the tri-state area or across the globe, on the first Sunday of November, you’ll be able to throw out a huge high five to someone on 1st Avenue and 67th Street, home of MSK. Trust me, it will be a moment you will never forget. By the way, if you are nervous to take on a marathon, so was I. Being part of the Fred’s Team family means we run together, we celebrate together, we cry together, and we raise funds together — all to imagine a world without cancer. I’m here to assist you in any way possible, and I can assure you that you can and will cross the finish line. I look forward to cheering you on and giving you a big, roaring WOOOHOOOOO!!.

Kate McCurdy

Kate McCurdy

In 2014, I decided to run the New York City Marathon. I had always been in awe of marathoners but never thought I could run one. I knew that I needed a community of teammates to help me train and that I wanted to run for a cause. I kept seeing orange Fred’s Team shirts around New York City and eventually decided to sign up. My mother is a cancer survivor who was lucky enough to be part of an experimental drug protocol during her treatment, so I understand the value of cancer research.

The support I received from the Fred’s Team coaches, mentors, and staff made training for the marathon more fun than I thought possible. I have made so many dear friends through Fred’s Team that I can’t imagine my life without it. I figured running the marathon in 2014 would be a one-time-only experience, but after I crossed the finish line, I knew I would be back. I have run eight marathons with Fred’s Team and am looking forward to another season of long runs, new friends, and sweaty high fives.

Terry Alexander

Terry Alexander

In 2012, I joined Fred's Team with a simple yet powerful goal: to help create a world without cancer. Since then, this team has become an integral part of my life, and I cherish the deep friendships and memories I've made along the way. Wearing the iconic orange and running for Fred's Team has been a tremendous honor and a source of immense pride for me. Waking up early for runs with the team is not always easy, but knowing that we're running for a cause that's larger than ourselves is an incredible motivator. Fred’s Team program has been instrumental in my journey as a marathon runner. When I first joined, I thought I would only run one marathon, but I've now completed 10 marathons across the globe, including in New York City, Chicago, Athens, London, Berlin, and Tokyo.