Long Valley Dad To Run In New York City Marathon

LONG VALLEY, NJ — After spending months training with his family's au pair, Long Valley dad Alann "A.J." W. will run the New York City Marathon this Sunday.

A.J. trained alongside the family's au pair, Jenny L., for months to run the 26.2 mile race through the city. The two were planning to run together as part of the Cultural Care Kids First Foundation Team. Jenny, a native of Sweden, has been staying with A.J., his wife, Monica and their family as an au pair as part of a cultural exchange program.

"If I can cross the finish line of this marathon, then I know that I will have the feeling that I can do anything. As long as I believe and push myself," Jenny said earlier this month.

"After I ran my first marathon, I felt like I could accomplish anything. I would love for her to have the opportunity to feel the same sense of accomplishment," Whitmore said last week.

Unfortunately, Jenny was sidelined by a a foot injury just days before the race and will have to cheer A.J. on from the sidelines with his family as he runs alone. Monica is also a fitness buff who had been helping Jenny train.

Over 50,000 runners will tackle the New York City Marathon this Sunday. The race starts at 8:30 a..m. in Staten Island and finished in Central Park in Manhattan. It'll be broadcast live on ABC.

Image via Cultural Care Kids First Foundation