Cancer Survivor Runs New York Marathon Topless to Show Her Scars

Spiezia finished the 26.2-mile race through New York’s five boroughs in 4:54:04. She ran with Fred’s Team, the cancer center’s marathon team, and used body tape for support while keeping her chest uncovered. A QR code on her back linked to a breast cancer risk assessment.

Diagnosed at 31 after finding a lump, Spiezia underwent chemotherapy, immunotherapy, a mastectomy and reconstruction. She said she had initially been told she was too young for a mammogram. Her diagnosis also revealed a BRCA2 mutation, she wrote before the race.

Spiezia said the idea took shape after she felt the urge to hide her chest while changing after surgery. “My scars are not something to hide,” she wrote. She said the race was intended to show the effects of treatment and encourage people to take an active role in their health.

She began with walks during treatment, progressed to shorter runs and later completed a half marathon. With a coach, she developed a gradual training plan that accounted for her recovery and surgeries. Spiezia remains in active treatment and said she hopes her run will encourage other survivors and raise awareness among women of all ages.