On Her Own Two Feet

Long-distance runner Ilse Abusamra '93 has completed 52 marathons. 

Over the last 29 years, Ilse Abusamra '93 has completed an impressive 52 marathons, both domestically and internationally, her feet carrying her hundreds of miles. 

“The high that occurs when crossing the finish line makes marathons addictive to me,” she explains. Yet even with all of her experience, she says, “Marathons don’t get any easier. But I also know that no matter how tough it is—whether it's a hilly course or a hot and humid day—I can and will get to the finish line eventually.” 

Abusamra has been running since she was 13 years old, having gotten her start at Govs under the tutelage of her father, beloved cross-country and outdoor track coach Faculty Emeritus David "Abu" Abusamra P’93.

“I grew up cheering on my dad at his own road races and marathons alongside my mom (Faculty Emerita Laurel Abusamra P'93), as well as cheering on his GDA runners on the track across the street from Boynton House, where I grew up,” she says of her faculty family. “GDA will always be in my heart.” 

At Govs, Abusamra was a member of the Girls’ Varsity Cross-Country team during its powerhouse years, logging two undefeated seasons (1990–1993). “It was exhilarating to be part of such a strong and tightly knit program,” she says. 

After running cross-country and track at Bates, Abusamra and her best friend entered the Steamboat Springs Marathon—her first. “The air was thin, and the quads burned, but the finish line was invigorating,” she recalls.

She was hooked. She went on to run the Detroit Marathon and qualify for the Boston Marathon for the first of six times. “For any marathoner with the goal of having the privilege to run Boston, it’s an incredible feeling,” she says. Other fond marathon memories include running the California International, Paris, and Reykjavik marathons alongside friends and family. 

Now senior associate director of college counseling at Riverdale Country School in New York City, Abusamra trains primarily in Central Park with a close community of fellow runners. “It’s pure therapy at 5:45 a.m. for all of us,” she says. 

This coming November, Abusamra will run her 17th New York City Marathon, an event that’s dear to her heart. “It’s hard to imagine not being part of the magic of NYC Marathon Sunday, as the city comes alive in all the best ways on that day each year,” she says. “Although cheering is a blast, there is nothing like traveling through all five boroughs on my own two feet.”  

The high that occurs when crossing the finish line makes marathons addictive to me...