Marathon runners are a lot different from the rest of us. They’re known to get up at dawn, slip into their running shoes, and run six or seven miles before taking their first sip of coffee. They know pain, but they also know glory. And while some do it for personal achievement, others do it to raise money for worthy causes.
Such a person is Sue Manero, a native of Princeton, and a veteran of marathons from London, to Boston, to Chicago and more. Sue runs to raise money for Tedy’s Team, a charity named after the famous, and beloved New England Patriot Tedy Bruschi. Tedy’s Team was started by Tedy & Heidi Bruschi in 2005, after Tedy Bruschi suffered a stroke at the age of 31 when he was in the prime of life. When Tedy’s Team was created, the main goal was to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke, and to break the stigma of who can have a stroke.
Fast Forward 19 years, over 1,600 alumni, and Tedy’s Team has raised over $10 million to support stroke and heart disease and help reduce deaths from stroke. A resounding success.
But how did Sue Manero get involved in this venture? As she says, “In 1999, my family’s world changed when my 79-year-old father, Angelo Manero suffered his first stroke which was followed by two larger more debilitating strokes that left him paralyzed on his right side and barely able to communicate.”
At the time, her father was working the family business, a very strong, active 79-year-old. After his stroke he was unable to walk. In a brave decision he was able to help us decide. ”He wanted to enjoy his time with his family, especially our mom Lee, his wife of 55 years. With all that he had gone through, he did not want to burden us with his in-home care and change mom’s daily home life.”
But it doesn’t end there. According to Sue, “Over those years that he was with us, I felt so useless since there were not many new rehab facilities with stroke recovery. My dad passed in 2003 and in 2006 my cousin Lois suffered a stroke at the age of 59 and because of new medical technology, they were able to save her life. I am happy to say she is still with us!”
At this point, she felt like stroke was all around her. “I started running/training after my dad’s stroke to stay healthy and to de-stress. After stroke entered my family’s life, my running took on a new purpose, stroke awareness and education. I joined Tedy’s Team in 2007 and have been sharing everything I have learned about stroke, stroke prevention, education, and awareness. I run my miles in memory and honor of my family members, friends, and other stroke heroes.”
Since her dad’s stroke in 1999, so much is now available to stroke survivors and their families because of organizations like Tedy’s Team. “We continue to raise awareness for stroke and heart disease while supporting survivors through the Comeback Program, the Tedy’s Team Center of Excellence in Stroke Recovery, and the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab. For all this I am grateful,” Sue adds.
To date Sue has run over 8 marathons and her next race will be Disney 2026- The Disney Dopey Challenge. She will be running a 5K, 10K, half-marathon and then a full marathon-over 50 miles is four consecutive days.
Sue’s dedication isn’t just about running. It’s about building a community—one that stretches from the starting line to the finish, and beyond. Every race is a chance to remember her loved ones, connect with other survivors and their families, and shine a spotlight on stories that don’t always get heard. “Everyone on Tedy’s Team has a reason to run,” she says. Some are survivors themselves. Others run for parents, siblings, or friends. The team becomes a family, united by heartbreak, hope, and the drive to make a difference. For Sue, the miles have added up. She’s completed more than a dozen marathons—each one a physical challenge, but also a tribute. “Crossing the finish line, it’s emotional,” Sue says. “I think about my dad, my cousin, all the people who can’t run. I run for them. ”The impact of Tedy’s Team isn’t measured just in dollars raised or races finished. It’s seen in the lives touched, the conversations started, and the knowledge shared. Stroke doesn’t discriminate by age or background. Raising awareness, supporting research, and making sure survivors get the best possible care—these are victories that matter just as much as any medal. And Sue Manero? She’s already lacing up for her next race, determined to keep running, keep remembering, and keep fighting for a world where fewer families have to face what hers did.
For additional information on Tedy’s Team go to Tedysteam.org.