TrackGirlz is proud to feature the purpose-driven athletes of our New York Road Runners campaign en route to the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. Among them is Delaney Swift, a former high school and collegiate runner based in Charlottesville, VA, where she now runs with the Black-led Prolyfyck Run Creww. For Delaney, running has always been more than just a sport— it’s been a space to feel free, connect deeply, and move forward with intention.

“I have always loved running,” she says. “I played lots of different sports as a kid, mostly swimming and soccer, but eventually let them go and chose running. I was naturally pretty fast and improved quickly once I was part of a team. Running has always had a special place in my heart. When your body, mind, and spirit align just right, the rest of the world fades away. ”

That love for running didn’t stop after the finish lines of high school or college. It evolved. Delaney found new meaning and strength in her miles through Prolyfyck Run Creww, a group that flips the script on what success in running looks like. “Prolyfyck is a Black-led run crew that runs through the predominately Black and Brown neighborhoods in Charlottesville. There is so much energy, enthusiasm, and support within this group. All paces are welcome and we celebrate every runner and walker. No one is left behind. We cheer for each person as they come through the route.”

Prolyfyck doesn’t just run for wellness, it runs for community. The crew hosts free runs, fundraisers for housing organizations, scholarships, school supply drives, and even maintains food and hygiene pantries. “Running can feel like an individual sport, but with Prolyfyck, it’s always a team,” Delaney says. “Being Prolyfyck to me is a proactive mindset of: how can I take whatever I’m doing in life from good to great? How can I help make something better for someone else? How can I uplift someone? How can I lean in?”

It’s that very mindset that Delaney brings to her training and to Team TrackGirlz as she prepares for her fourth marathon. Representing TrackGirlz in New York is more than an athletic milestone, it’s a full-circle moment. “I am so honored to represent Team TrackGirlz at the 2025 NYC Marathon. Helping girls get access to coaching, education, and life skills through track and field is so powerful and impactful to them reaching their full potential. I want to be someone who helps remove barriers and improve accessibility to the sport. I want to see girls everywhere succeed in what they love.”

While Delaney’s path has been rooted in uplifting others, it hasn’t been without obstacles. A few years ago, she was diagnosed with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD), a connective tissue disorder that affected her patellar tendons and overall joint stability. “Instead of tendons holding your joints together in a stable but moveable way, it’s like having stretched-out rubber bands that have lost their elasticity,” she explains. “Joints can easily slide beyond the normal range of motion causing pain, subluxation, or full dislocation.” But instead of seeing her diagnosis as a setback, she saw it as a reset. With the right medical support and a new approach, she found her way back to running safely—and stronger than ever.

Looking ahead, she’s excited for what’s to come. Yes, more races are likely on the horizon, but for Delaney, the joy lies in the journey. “I honestly love training more than the races. I love challenging myself to show up every day. Being outside, happy, healthy, and having fun is always my first goal.”

To the next generation of girls finding their way through the sport, Delaney offers this: “The best time to start is now. The best path is forward. And it’s not over until you stop starting.”