About the Meal Milers
WCK acts with the urgency of now. We are first to the frontlines providing fresh meals to families impacted by crises worldwide. To highlight the work of the people that fuel our efforts—staff, partners, volunteers—a group of new and experienced runners has come together to represent WCK in the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon on November 2. Together, known as WCK’s Meal Milers, this group from all backgrounds has set personal fundraising goals to support WCK’s work. Learn more about our relief efforts here.
Meet the Runners
Milena Simoes Do Espirito Santo
Milena is from Brazil and lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband, Jorge, and their son, Thomas. She began running in 2013, and it has since become essential to her mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Her first marathon was the Los Angeles Marathon in March 2014. She went on to run Los Angeles two more times, the Paris Marathon in 2016, and returned to the sport in 2024 by completing the Chicago Marathon.
Lauren Capitani
After every marathon Lauren runs, she swears it will be her last. But time passes, and she finds herself considering another. This time, the idea of supporting World Central Kitchen inspired her to run again. She has admired WCK’s work since she first learned of it and wanted to get involved. Lauren is proud that despite heavy snow and a windchill of 12°F, she finished her first race—the 1993 Chicago Marathon—in 3 hours and 23 minutes. Since then, she has completed seven marathons and countless half marathons. She lives in Boston with her husband, three children, and two dogs.
Maya Mastin
Maya recently graduated from New York University with a master’s degree in food studies. Running the New York City Marathon for WCK brings full circle her decision to move across the country for school. She has long been inspired by Chef José Andrés’ call to “build longer tables, not higher walls,” which guides her work on projects that view food as a human right, ethical humanitarian aid and a form of cultural preservation. Maya is honored to be part of the WCK team and to promote its mission one run at a time. She has dreamed of running the New York City Marathon since cheering on her father and grandfather in 2008, and she is excited to make them proud as she runs her second marathon.
Adeel Zubair
Adeel grew up in New York before moving to Connecticut. A passionate runner, he has completed several marathons and half marathons. He strongly believes in WCK’s mission and is honored to have the chance to raise money for such an important cause.
Garrett Backer
Garrett was first introduced to World Central Kitchen while working at Wonder, a pioneering food platform that partners with restaurants across the country and renowned chefs, including WCK founder José Andrés. Through Wonder, he learned about José and WCK’s impactful work around the world. Garrett has been running since high school and has completed several half marathons. Having grown up in and around New York City, running the New York City Marathon is a lifelong dream—one he is excited to pursue while supporting WCK.
Chris Krolak
Chris discovered his love for running and biking while living in New York City after college, drawn to the way it connected him with diverse people and places. Now based in California, he has completed numerous long-distance races—including a DIY ultramarathon around Manhattan’s perimeter—but has never run an official road marathon. He looks forward to returning to the city he fell in love with eight years ago to support the inspiring work of World Central Kitchen.
Support the Team
Each runner has set a fundraising goal to support WCK’s work—fuel their efforts here.
Lauren Capitani
WCK represents the best of humanity—providing nourishment, comfort, and dignity to people in crises. The idea of more humanity in today’s world thrills me.
Maya Mastin
As someone pursuing a career in global food security, I am honored to be a part of the WCK team and their efforts in providing meals for citizens of the world that are not only nourishing but empowering.
Garrett Backer
Run with purpose, act with purpose, eat with purpose!
