A ɫƵ graduate has been named among the most ‘inspiring’ and ‘compelling’ athletes running in the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon.
Evan Mansfield, a Business Studies graduate from UL’s Kemmy Business School, is one of 26 runners selected to form – a diverse group of marathon athletes with the most compelling stories to share ahead of this year’s event.
Last year’s recipient of the prestigious Rev. John M. Conlisk Scholarship, Evan graduated from UL in autumn 2024 and is currently completing an MBA at Fairfield University in Connecticut, US. On Sunday, November 2, he will run his first-ever marathon, joining more than 55,000 fellow runners participating in the world-famous event.
The Waterford native admits he has “always dreamed” of participating in the New York City Marathon, and being specially selected to join Team Inspire this year has made the experience all the sweeter. Each year, this cohort of athletes is carefully chosen by the event organisers, New York Road Runners (NYRR), with each member representing one mile of the iconic 26.2-mile race.
Evan is partaking and fundraising for the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), a nonprofit organisation run by and for autistic people, advocating for equal access, rights and opportunities. It is an organisation and a cause which is close to Evan’s heart, having been diagnosed with autism at two years of age.
“Having been diagnosed with autism at a very young age, I understand I am in a great position of privilege to have progressed at the level that I have, thanks to the support from my family, friends, schools, and so many more amazing people,” he explained.
“I have gone from having significant speech delay onset and being in full-time special education, with no expectations to make it to full-time education, to becoming the first member of my family to graduate from university and earning a place in Fairfield University's MBA Program with an Artificial Intelligence Concentration as the 2024 Conlisk Scholar.
“ASAN works to make sure that autistic people are in control of their own lives and have a say in policies that affect the autistic community, ensuring that decisions for autistic people are made by autistic people. I am completing this challenge to raise awareness for ASAN, to continue advocating for the autistic community, and to help in any way I can.”
With over two million spectators expected to turn out on November 2, Evan is looking forward to achieving a lifelong goal on “the biggest marathon stage in the world” – all with the “huge honour” of raising awareness and funds for an incredibly important cause.
“Autism is very misunderstood, and I want to show that anything is possible, and to inspire members of the autistic community and their families to try something new, push themselves outside of their comfort zone, and be the best versions of themselves that they can be,” he said.
For more information on Evan’s journey to the TCS New York City Marathon, you can visit his .