Columbia BME Professor Crushes NYC Marathon

In November, Professor Kam Leong from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University was among the thousands who participated in the New York City Marathon. The event spanned across the five boroughs, starting from Staten Island and concluding in Central Park.

With over 50,000 runners from around the globe, the marathon is a testament to human endurance and spirit. Reflecting on the experience, Professor Leong shared, “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.", as said by Haruki Murakami or the Dalai Lama. "Indeed, the physical pain of running the marathon is nothing compared to the joy of crossing the finish line with a loved one. For the eighth or ninth time, I've had the pleasure of completing the NYC Marathon with my daughter, Wei.

This year stood out due to the ideal weather conditions and the warm, enthusiastic crowds that lined the course cheering us all the way." His words capture the essence of the marathon—both a physical challenge and a journey to be shared. Congratulations Dr. Leong!