Futterman Finishes NYC Marathon Amid Wife's Cancer Fight
Matthew Futterman completed his 16th New York City Marathon while his wife, Amy, was undergoing treatment for triple-negative breast cancer.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Running
Matthew Futterman completed the 2026 New York City Marathon on November 1, his 16th finish in the race. He ran while his wife, Amy, was treated for triple-negative breast cancer earlier in the year.
Why it matters
The account shows how a caregiver maintained training and routines during a serious illness at the request of the patient, who asked that her diagnosis not disrupt his life. For New York City readers, it reflects a personal story tied to the city's marathon, which Amy Futterman cheered from Fifth Avenue.
Matthew Futterman has completed the New York City Marathon 16 times, and Amy Futterman underwent eight rounds of chemotherapy after a double mastectomy in April. The story does not report Amy Futterman's current prognosis or long-term treatment outlook.
The players
Matthew Futterman
Matthew Futterman is a journalist and author of the book "The Cruelest Game: Chasing Greatness in Professional Tennis."
Amy Futterman
Amy Futterman is the wife of Matthew Futterman, who was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in 2026.
The details
Amy Futterman was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer earlier in 2026, underwent a double mastectomy in April, and completed eight rounds of chemotherapy followed by reconstructive surgery. Matthew Futterman served as her primary caretaker and continued daily runs, swims, and work travel at her request while training for the marathon.
Timeline
April 2026: Amy Futterman underwent a double mastectomy.
August 16, 2026: The family finished the Dog Day Five-Mile race on Long Beach Island before chemotherapy began.
November 1, 2026: Matthew Futterman completed the New York City Marathon.
Season Trajectory
The story places a personal endurance milestone within the broader reality that triple-negative breast cancer kills about 40,000 U.S. women each year. Matthew Futterman's sixteen New York City Marathon finishes provide a long-running personal benchmark against that national figure.
For runners training through a family health crisis, the story shows how routines can be kept in place when the patient asks that they continue. Readers planning next year's New York City Marathon can note that Amy Futterman has announced plans to run it alongside her husband.
The takeaway
Maintaining training during a partner's illness required discipline, but the Futterman family's experience shows that routines can anchor both caregiver and patient. Their shared finish at the Dog Day race offers a reminder that participation can continue even during treatment.
What happens next
Amy Futterman is expected to run the New York City Marathon alongside Matthew Futterman next year.
Further reading
Explore more Running coverage for New York City readers.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EssentiallySports.
