Shannon Lai

Shannon Lai is a member of the Chinese Freemasons Athletic Club. He currently doing a charity fund raising for the Chinese Freemasons to get into the TCS New York City Marathon. Shannon started his running journey on July 2021. He was always into fitness for about 25 years but he never thought running was really that important. Until last year his friend Leland Yu, founder of Run for Chinatown, convinced him to join him on the roads. Maybe it was the 40 pounds he dropped, or the sense of community that permeates through his runs every Monday at 6:30pm with the Run for Chinatown group, or how proud he feels when his sons see how well he’s running, but Shannon is focused on his health and wellbeing like never before. He’s in his best shape of his life and his focus is to be the best version on himself. He recently ran his first half marathon in 1:30:12 and his full marathon in 3:11:28. Pretty impressive for a new runner that started last year. For this TCS New York City Marathon he’s wants to break his personal record and also wants qualify for the Boston Marathon 2023. His time goal is under 3 hours but his qualification is under 3 hours and 10 minutes. That might be really tough, but with the support of his community, his sons, and his good friend Leland, I wouldn’t bet against him. To track his journey, follow Shannon on Instagram @shann_nnonn

Fundraising Link: https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/shannon-lai

Ernest Au

“I’ve run most of my life for fitness (shorter distances and on the treadmill), but when the pandemic hit and running became my only outlet for activity, I learned to love it: I found stability/discipline through the uncertainty via a daily run, and I learned gratitude/meditation by savoring health and freedom on each outing. While the pandemic was a personal source of growth, I’m saddened by its toll on the Chinese community, Chinatown, and New York City. By running the NYC marathon and raising money for the New York Chinese Free Masons Athletic Club, I hope to pay it back: the pandemic turned me into a runner, so I will now use this gift for the recovery of the Chinese community, Chinatown, and New York City”

Fundraising Link: https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/ernest-au

Diane Salim

“Whilst I've always used exercise as a means to destress, being a self-proclaimed HIIT human and lone wolf at the gym, until recently running long distances was never something that crossed my mind as a potentially enjoyable activity. (Which is a very roundabout way to say I hated running lol) However, having just moved alone to NYC in January of last year I was so fortunate to find an incredibly welcoming, supportive and encouraging community with Run for Chinatown, so much so that I've been inspired to run a whole marathon with the crew! Running 42 kilometres straight is something I never thought would ever remotely interest me, let alone a feat I'd be capable of undertaking, and the race will be made even more special by the fact that it'll traverse the entirety of this energetic city I've adopted as a home away from home!!
Being a fourth-generation Chinese Indonesian having grown up in Australia, I'd unfortunately never felt particularly connected to my Chinese ancestry, nor did I feel motivated to develop any nuanced erudition about it. Yet funnily enough, despite being one of the furthest places on the globe from East Asia, moving to NYC and engaging with the Run for Chinatown community and the general Chinese diaspora here has given me new insights and opportunities to observe different manifestations of Chinese identity, and thus has helped me learn about and explore my own Chinese heritage. That being said, one cultural artifact that I've grown up with and have indeed consistently engaged with as an expression of my Chinese identity is barongsai (a.k.a. lion dance)!! The nostalgia of seeing the ferocious lion faces and feeling the ground thud as the drums and symbols strike still brings me great comfort and warmth! Moreover, seeing barongsai being routinely performed year after year as an iconic Lunar New Year tradition, all over the world where Chinese populations have immigrated and continue to thrive, serves as a proud reminder that I hail from a lineage of bravery, resilience and adaptability.
I think it would be awesome to be able to raise funds for the NYC Chinese Freemasons to keep this incredible cultural heritage alive and relevant in overseas Chinese diasporas, especially as a fun and simultaneously physically and mentally healthy way for ethnically Chinese youths to take pride in and feel tied to their family's culture and traditions. I know I would've been thrilled to jump around as a lion when I was a child!! (or even now tbh lol) Through fundraising I would also feel so privileged to be able to contribute and give back to the incredible Chinatown community who have already given me so so much and have made me feel right at home! “

Fundraising Link: https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/diane-salim

Elly Hu

Having grown up in a suburban part of the US, I didn't have much exposure to Chinese traditions or diverse cultural activities outside of my immediate family. But since moving to cities like Boston or NYC as an adult, I've been fortunate to have opportunities to learn more about my heritage and the Chinese diaspora through events put on by groups such as the Chinese Freemasons Athletic Club in Chinatown. CFAC's iconic lion dance performances are extra special since they showcase the essence of Chinatown and the camaraderie of the community - a much needed celebration and reminder of everything we've persevered through these last few years. For all these reasons, I'm honored to partner with a non-profit benefiting a community I keep close to my heart and an organization that helps keep traditions alive for people of all ages to learn and enjoy.

Fundraising Link: https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/elly-hu

Patrick Mock

Lion dancing is something that brings many different generations of friends and family together and is something that I’m very proud of doing at the same time equipment can get expensive. When I was approached about the nyc marathon i thought I was just helping with fundraising but expect to be running it. I was never a runner and am definitely intimidated by the miles(😭😭😭) but that won’t stop me from supporting my community and passing down traditions to future generations and hoping everyone can support as I go through this journey as well! Please donate and support it’ll be win for us all!

Fundraising Link: https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/patrick-mock