Williamsburg Runner to Race NYC Marathon Two Days Before Mastectomy

Jessica Reilly, a 25-year-old resident of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, will run the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 25.

The race marks the final major athletic challenge she will undertake before a bilateral mastectomy scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 27. Reilly received the surgery after testing positive for the BRCA1 genetic mutation, which increases the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.

Reilly spent the past year consulting with medical professionals to determine her best course of action. She said she spoke with numerous doctors in New York City before making her final choice. Her decision was influenced by a family history that includes her father’s recovery from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma when she was 11 years old.

“I knew that I wanted to go the prevention route. It just felt it was what was right to me because I’ve seen both of my parents endure chemo, and kind of what cancer can do to a family, even if you do survive,” Reilly told Eyewitness News reporter Stacey Sager.

Dr. Elisa Port, chief breast surgeon at Mount Sinai, confirmed that patients with a positive BRCA test have multiple medical pathways. Port noted that women can begin MRI screenings at age 25 and add mammograms at age 30, allowing them to continue monitoring for as long as they wish. Reilly chose surgery over ongoing monitoring.

The marathon itself became a source of concern for Reilly earlier in the year when a back injury produced symptoms similar to her mother’s cancer. This prompted her to seek further genetic testing and medical advice. She described the upcoming race as meaningful, stating, “It feels almost as hard, but it’s meaningful. Because if I can do this marathon, I can almost do anything.”

Following the mastectomy, Reilly is expected to undergo reconstructive surgery. She will also continue to manage an elevated risk of ovarian cancer. Dr. Port encouraged individuals with unclear family cancer histories to ask questions and seek deeper medical investigation.