November 1, 2026
We run for
mental health.
We run for
Positive Directions.
Five people from Team Positive Directions are taking on 26.2 miles in New York, each for a reason connected to mental health.
One page, five runners. Choose a runner to back, or give straight to Positive Directions.
Donate now Or pick a runner firstMeet the team
George DeNoto
In 2017, at the peak of his acting career, George lost his mother to mental illness. A year later he lost his closest friend. Almost ten years into grief, he runs to carry the legacy of the people he lost, and to say that no amount of grief is insurmountable.
Give to George directly →
Doug Feinberg
This past March, Doug celebrated ten years sober, a milestone he could not have imagined when he was in the thick of it. Running gave him structure and a healthy way to feel good. “When I say I run for mental health, I mean it literally.”
Give to Doug directly →
Piya
Three years ago, during a hard stretch, Piya went out for a run with zero expectations. That run changed the trajectory of her life. She is a practising physician and a vocal advocate for treating mental health with the same seriousness as physical health.
Give to Piya directly →
Brian McGarvey
Brian lives with anxiety, and so do people in his family. He started running five years ago purely for physical health and found it changed his mind as much as his body. This is his second marathon for Positive Directions. “It’s therapy in and of itself.”
Give to Brian directly →
Gianna
In college Gianna fought a severe eating disorder, and recovered with the help of family, friends, nutritionists and therapists. Running was once part of the struggle. Now it is part of her recovery, and this is her second marathon for Positive Directions.
Give to Gianna directly →Why it matters
Positive Directions has served this community for more than 55 years. Counseling across the whole lifespan, from children and teens to adults and older adults. Building connections and community through peer support and SMART Recovery groups. Prevention work through relationships and systems change that reduces substance use and improves mental wellbeing in our communities.
Every year there is a financial gap to cover the actual costs of high quality mental health care, peer support and prevention work that benefits the entire community. Marathon season is how that gap gets covered.
What your gift supports
- Free peer support groups for mental wellbeing, recovery, and connection throughout Connecticut
- Prevention programs and coalition work that build healthier communities for young people
- Training for educators, parents, and community members to reduce suicide and substance use
- The Treatment Fund, which covers care for clients who are underinsured or uninsured
Ways to give beyond a gift
Share a runner’s page
Send one runner’s story to one person who would care. It reaches people we cannot.
Host a small fundraiser
A dinner, a class, a birthday. We will help you set it up and give you what you need.
Sponsor a runner
Back one runner toward their goal and follow them through to the finish line.
Tell us how you would like to help.
Not sure which of these fits? Get in touch and we will point you at the one that does.
Prefer email? marathon@positivedirections.org