When Kayleigh Massengill lines up for the Chicago Marathon this October, she’ll be running for more than a finish line. She’ll be running for her dad, Scott — and for every family facing ALS.
Kayleigh, who lives in Manhattan’s Kips Bay neighborhood and grew up in Summit, New Jersey, is running as part of Team Race for ALS with the Les Turner ALS Foundation. Her fundraising team is called Team Scott, a name that keeps her father’s legacy front and center. This will be her second full marathon — her first was New York City in 2024, run just months after her father passed away from ALS following a courageous three-year battle.
The connection between her father and that first marathon still gives her chills. After applying for a spot in the NYC race, one of their last conversations was about getting in. “He said it was something I should do if I wanted to,” she recalls. “It was a sign that I should.” He passed away that same week. Throughout training, she gave herself a simple mantra: “Scott up.” The phrase carried her through every long run.
Now, as Chicago approaches, the mission feels the same but deeper. “I think of the memory of my dad and continuing the fight against ALS,” she says. “It helps me keep his memory alive and other families who are going through this. Knowing that I’m running for other folks struggling in the ALS community keeps me moving.”
Kayleigh and her father Scott
Training through a sweltering summer hasn’t been easy. “Even getting up early in the mornings, there has been heat,” she says. But having one marathon behind her brings confidence. After IT band issues caused knee pain during her first marathon, she’s now prioritizing strength training and stretching. Her routine includes Peloton strength videos, YouTube workouts, and yoga — including free classes at Bryant Park on Wednesday nights when her schedule allows. “I put more emphasis on yoga when I’m marathon training for sure,” she says. “It’s great for injury prevention.”
Her advice to fellow runners and fundraisers is practical. For fundraising, she emphasizes authenticity: “Share your personal connection to the cause and awareness of ALS, and the specific things the charity does. Talk about that.” For the race itself, she keeps it simple: “Take each mile on its own.”
As she looks ahead to race day on October 11, Kayleigh is grateful for the friends, family, and donors who have rallied behind Team Scott. “It’s such a special opportunity to do something I love while remembering my dad,” she says. “I’m very thankful for the support.”
