UL graduate Evan Mansfield among the inspirational athletes taking part in the 2025 New York City Marathon

UL graduate Evan Mansfield among the inspirational athletes taking part in the 2025 New York City Marathon

Evan Mansfield has been selected to run in the 2025 New York City Marathon and aims raise awareness for the Autisum Self Advocacy Network

Evan Mansfield, a Business Studies graduate from UL’s Kemmy Business School, has been selected to run with “Team Inspire” as part of the 2025 New York City Marathon and will be raising awareness for the Autism Self Advocacy Network (ASAN).

Evan will make up part of the 26-person Team Inspire, which is 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.

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On being selected, Evan said, “I have always dreamed of running the New York City Marathon, and I am so excited to be running for Team ASAN in my first-ever marathon!

“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.”

Evan’s efforts will see him raise awareness and funds for ASAN, with a goal of $3,000 set and more than $1,800 so far. The Waterford native makes up part of the team carefully chosen by the event organisers, New York Road Runners (NYRR), with each member representing one mile of the iconic 26.2-mile race.

Team Inspire represents the heart of the Marathon — 26 athletes with powerful, diverse stories who each symbolize one mile of the 26.2-mile course, showcasing the inclusive and inspiring nature of the TCS New York City Marathon produced by New York Road Runners

Speaking about his opportunity to support ASAN, Evan said, “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. 

“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, to earning a place in Fairfield University’s MBA Program with an Artificial Intelligence Concentration as the 2024 Conlisk Scholar. 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!”

As Evan prepares for this year’s event, which will see more than 2 million people line the streets of New York to show their support, he has set up a fundraising page with more information documenting his journey to the TCS New York City Marathon.