NYC Marathon Runner Hires Cheerleaders for $120 Each — image accompanying Marathon Handbook's report. Image accompanying Marathon Handbook’s report; reduced and presented for news commentary with the attributed report. View the complete source report.
A New York runner is hiring strangers to cheer her on during the marathon. Molly Markhoff, 25, offers $120 each to 20 people for signs and support. She posted the job on Airtasker, a gig marketplace. The hired fans get a spot on the course and a sign with 'Molly' on it.
Each fan must make a sign and cheer at a pre-agreed spot. They also need to take photos or videos of their setup. Markhoff wants the squad to help her stay motivated. She starts at 10:55 a.m., in the fourth wave. The course has strict rules on sign size and prohibited items. Read more culture coverage.
The marathon expects around two million spectators. Run clubs set up cheer zones in the five boroughs. The race's app tracks runners and estimates their pace. The final wave leaves Staten Island at 11:30 a.m. Related: NYC Marathon: Elite Runners Share Strategies Ahead of Race.
This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Marathon Handbook. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.
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What should runners know about NYC Marathon Runner Hires Cheerleaders for $120 Each?
Molly Markhoff pays strangers to cheer her on during the marathon. A New York runner is hiring strangers to cheer her on during the marathon. Molly Markhoff, 25, offers $120 each to 20 people for signs and support. She posted the job on Airtasker, a gig marketplace. The hired fans get a spot on the course and a sign with 'Molly' on it.
When did Runner World publish this culture brief?
Runner World published this brief on October 30, 2026. The underlying Marathon Handbook report was dated October 30, 2026.
Where can readers find the complete original report?
This summary is based on reporting from Marathon Handbook. The attributed source link in the article leads to the publisher’s complete report.
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