Ariana Grande Sends Handwritten Note to Marathon Runner
A personal message from the singer reached a New York City Marathon runner after she finished the 2026 race.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Running
Ariana Grande wrote a handwritten note for a stranger through Ella's Envelope, a project that collects messages from strangers and delivers them to marathon runners. The note reached runner Ellie after she completed the 2026 New York City Marathon.
Why it matters
The initiative gives runners personal encouragement during a grueling race that draws nearly 60,000 athletes. The moment was shared publicly through an Instagram video posted by Ella Schweigerr, highlighting the project's reach.
Nearly 60,000 athletes ran the 26.2-mile five-borough course in the 2026 race, the 50th anniversary of the route first introduced in 1976. The extraction does not report how many runners received handwritten notes through the project.
The players
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande is a Grammy-winning American pop singer and actress known for chart-topping music and her wide public following.
Ella Schweigerr
Ella Schweigerr is the creator of Ella's Envelope, who shared the moment in an Instagram video that brought the note to wider attention.
The details
Ella's Envelope collects handwritten messages from strangers and delivers them to marathon runners they have never met. Schweigerr brought the project to the New York marathon to gather notes, and Grande wrote and signed hers alongside Ricky.
Timeline
1976: Organizers first introduced the five-borough marathon course.
November 1, 2026: The 2026 New York City Marathon was held on its 50th anniversary course.
November 2, 2026: The Instagram video about the note was shared.
Season Trajectory
The 2026 race marks 50 years since the five-borough course was first introduced in 1976, a milestone that frames the event's long-running place in the sport. The fan-driven note initiative adds a personal dimension to a course that now draws nearly 60,000 athletes each year.
The note was delivered to a runner after she crossed the finish line, not during the race itself. Runners in future New York City marathons can expect the same kind of handwritten encouragement through the Ella's Envelope initiative.
The takeaway
Small, personal gestures can reach athletes at moments when a race feels most demanding. The story shows how a simple handwritten message can travel from a stranger to a finish line.
Further reading
Explore more Running coverage for the latest from marathon courses and race events across New York City.
