TJ Ortiz from Moody, Texas, was selected from over 100,000 applicants to run in the NYC Marathon for the Lupus Research Alliance.
TEMPLE, Texas — Selected from 100,000 plus applicants TJ Ortiz from Moody has been chosen to run in the world’s largest marathon, representing the Lupus Research Alliance.
It’s not every day that you get a call that changes your life, but for TJ Ortiz, this has happened twice. The first call came in 2018 when she was just 21 years old—a diagnosis that would reshape her understanding of health and resilience.
“It was a really emotional day um it was emotional for some mixed things,” said Ortiz. “I had been sick for so long that I was just looking for any answer of like what is going on and why these things are happening.”
The second call? An invitation to run in the New York City Marathon, selected from over 100,000 applicants.
“I was over the moon excited, I actually started crying,” said Ortiz. “I was at work and I busted through the door and was like, girls, I got into the New York City Marathon and I am running.”
Running has been a longtime love for Ortiz, but her reason for running deepened after her personal battle with lupus. When she received her diagnosis in 2018, she knew she had to prioritize exercise and a healthy diet—not just as lifestyle choices, but as essential tools for managing her condition.
“I think sometimes people look at me and they see just a normal healthy 28 year old girl but um my illness is invisible and so um even though I have a good day the next day could not be so good,” said Ortiz. “I think doing this brings a lot of awareness for other people to kind of get a look into my life and other people’s lives that experience lupus.”
Throughout the week, Ortiz maintains her training regimen, consistently running between 3 and 5 miles. Each step is preparation not just for the physical challenge ahead, but for the opportunity to run for something bigger than herself. As a representative of the Lupus Research Alliance, her marathon journey carries the hopes and dreams of countless others fighting the same battle.
“I’m excited to represent lupus and bring awareness to something so close to home,” said Ortiz. “I’m also excited to show my kids that they can do anything even with an autoimmune disease or whatever the world tells you that is against you, you can still do it no matter what and I think finishing this and showing that my showing my kids that they can do anything means a lot to me. “
This November trip to New York City will be filled with firsts for Ortiz. Her first time running the world’s largest marathon, her first time representing a cause so close to her heart, and her first opportunity to cross a marathon finish line. But perhaps most importantly, it’s her first chance to show the world that chronic illness doesn’t have to mean the end of dreams—it can be the beginning of something even more meaningful.
“I can’t probably even express how thankful I am first of all for not only the lupus Research Alliance picking me but also for my family and friends supporting me,” said Ortiz. “26.2 miles is a lot of miles, and I’m looking forward to seeing all of my family at different stops and um their love is encouraging me to keep going.”
To donate and help TJ Ortiz reach her goal click here.