Franklin Lakes resident to run NYC marathon to raise awareness for brain injuries
He says he became interested in brain injuries after seeing friends experience concussions while playing soccer, as well as his fiancée, who also suffered a traumatic brain injury.
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A Franklin Lakes resident is preparing to take on 26.2 miles in the New York City Marathon this Sunday, but he’s running for more than just the finish line.
Arnav Bhutada will run his first marathon on Nov. 1 to raise money for the Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS), a nonprofit that supports, educates and advocates for individuals and families impacted by brain injuries.
For Bhutada, the cause is personal. He says he became interested in brain injuries after seeing friends experience concussions while playing soccer, as well as his fiancée, who also suffered a traumatic brain injury.
“Seeing people go through traumatic brain injury through playing soccer. When I was younger in middle school and high school, and as well as my fiancé, who had a traumatic brain injury,” Bhutada said.
A medical student at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bhutada previously studied integrative neuroscience at Fordham University. His academic work has also focused on how hitting the ball with one's head in soccer could impact children’s personalities and brain cells.
“I think it’s an underdiagnosed disease, especially in young children. And I would be happy to raise awareness for it,” he said.
Bhutada has spent the past 20 weeks training for the marathon and is working to raise at least $3,500 for the organization.
The money will help BIANYS provide resources and services to brain injury survivors and their families, including support groups, a toll-free helpline, medical equipment grants and educational programs.
For Bhutada, crossing the finish line will be about more than completing his first marathon.
“And then the run is kind of a celebration of that fundraising effort,” he said.
The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon takes place Sunday, November 1, with nearly 60,000 runners expected to participate.
