Eileen Nuñez will run the TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday alongside her husband, PJ, and her oncologist, Dr. Julie McGuinness. Nuñez, 35, is running with The Pink Agenda, which raises breast cancer awareness and funds research, according to Spectrum News NY1.
NY1 reports that Nuñez was diagnosed with stage two triple-negative breast cancer in March 2025, at age 34. Her treatment included chemotherapy, immunotherapy and a double mastectomy; she was declared in remission in October 2025, the station reports.
Nuñez started training in October 2025 while completing the final part of her treatment plan, according to NY1. During chemotherapy, she could not run half a mile; she now plans to complete the 26.2-mile course. She has said the marathon gives her a demanding goal to work toward, the station reports.
PJ plans to run the entire course with Nuñez, and McGuinness is also set to participate. NY1 reports that McGuinness said Nuñez’s resilience inspired her. Columbia’s profile identifies Julia E. McGuinness as a breast cancer specialist and features a patient story about Eileen Nunez’s survivorship and marathon training: Columbia’s cancer center.
Exercise during and after treatment
Research offers broader context for Nuñez’s training: according to the American Cancer Society, exercise is safe and helpful for most people before, during and after cancer treatment. The appropriate level of activity can vary by person.
