For Immediate Release
New York Road Runners and m ss ng p eces Premiere “26.2” Documentary During TCS New York City Marathon Race Week
Premiere featured 200+ guests, including director Nicolas Heller (aka NewYorkNico); documentary principals; New York Road Runners, m ss ng p eces, and Tribeca Enterprises executives; and more
Film now available to stream online
WHAT: Monday, Oct. 27, ahead of the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon, Tribeca Membership hosted the world premiere of “26.2”, a short film directed by Nicolas Heller Nicolas Heller (aka NewYorkNico), and produced by m ss ng p eces and nonprofit New York Road Runners’ studio East 89th St Productions.
“26.2” follows four tenacious New Yorkers in the lead-up to the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon, one of 60 adult and youth races produced annually by New York Road Runners. A longtime superfan of the race, Heller was inspired by the individual stories and motivations of each runner (and walker) who chooses to participate in one of the world’s largest and most iconic marathons–and the best day of the year, in the best city in the world.
The world-premiere screening at AMC Lincoln Square 13 near the finish line of the TCS New York City Marathon, welcomed more than 200 guests, director Heller, New York Road Runners and m ss ng p eces/Tribeca Enterprises executives, including New York Road Runners CEO Rob Simmelkjaer, and the inspirational subjects featured in the documentary: Brooklyn-based Ladawn Jefferson, Bronx-based Shaquille “Shaq” Roberts, Queens-based Joel Kaufman, Queens-based Johnny Pye.
The film is now available to stream online HERE, distributed by Tribeca Films, and powered by Giant. Please see the press release BELOW for full details on “26.2.”
VIDEO: LINK
PHOTOS: LINK
CREDIT: New York Road Runners
CAPTION: Guests attend world premiere of “26.2” documentary short film co-produced by New York Road Runners’ East 89th St Productions studio and m ss ng p eces during 2025 TCS New York City Marathon New York Road Runners race week, including New York Road Runners CEO Rob Simmelkjaer, director Nicolas Heller, and stars Ladawn Jefferson, Shaquille “Shaq” Roberts, Joel Kaufman, and Johnny Pye.
PRESS RELEASE:
Director Nicolas Heller Helms 26.2 – A Heartfelt Ode to the TCS New York City Marathon
East 89th St Productions & m ss ng p eces Co-Produce Short Film & Host Its Premiere,
During 2025 Marathon Race Week
New York, New York (October 28, 2025) – Co-produced by m ss ng p eces and New York Road Runners’ (NYRR) studio East 89th St Productions, and directed by Nicolas Heller, aka NewYorkNico to his millions of social media followers, 26.2 follows four tenacious New Yorkers in the lead-up to the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon. A longtime superfan of the race, Heller was inspired by the individual stories and motivations of each runner (and walker) who chooses to participate in one of the world’s largest annual marathons.
In 2023, NYRR, the nonprofit that “runs” New York City producing 60 annual adult and youth races including the TCS New York City Marathon, approached Heller to cover the finish line. His candid images and videos amassed more than ten million views across his social channels. Moved by the entire experience, Heller proposed a film collaboration for the 2024 race. All four of the runners profiled in the film are a part of NYRR’s Team Inspire, which is composed of 26 runners hand-selected by the organization every year for their inspiring stories, full of grit and resolve.
Each battling serious odds, the race participants’ unlikely paths to the marathon span serious health challenges and obstacles, highlighting the transformative power of long-distance running. Joel “Whammy” Kaufman is a high school math teacher in Queens, walking his seventh New York City Marathon. He was initially inspired to join the race after a dear friend, who happened to love running, was diagnosed with leukemia. He holds the distinction of being the final official finisher of the 2023 race. Johnny Pye, a stroke survivor from the Bronx, has been running for five years. Running his first marathon, Pye aims to bring representation and awareness to stroke survivors. LaDawn Jefferson is a breast cancer survivor, mother, and Police Administrative Aide for the NYPD. Shaquille “Shaq” Roberts survived a house fire with burns on more than 40% of his body. He’s the founder of the Bronx Burners Run Club and is an immigrant from St. Kitts.
“The marathon is my favorite day in New York City,” said Heller. “I’ve been going for many years and taking whatever photos and videos I can to document the people of my city. I was inspired to go deeper and create a film that honored people’s motivations and stories and celebrate the community that the marathon creates.”
“The four incredible stories spotlighted in 26.2 are a snapshot of the more than 55,000 stories that make up the inspirational TCS New York City Marathon field each year,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, New York Road Runners CEO. “Seeing these athletes journey through all five boroughs of New York City and cross the finish line is part of what makes Marathon Sunday the best day of the year, in the best city in the world. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Nicolas and m ss ng p eces to tell these stories that highlight the transformative power of running through our East 89th St Productions studio.”
The screening, held near the finish line and NYRR offices at the AMC Lincoln Square, marked the start of marathon race week. Co-hosted by Tribeca Membership, the more than 200-person audience included Tribeca members, the cast and their families and friends, producers and crew, NYRR staff, and members of the press. Introduced by Ben Thompson, VP, Shorts Programming at Tribeca Festival, with a panel following, moderated by Simmelkjaer, asking the cast members and Heller about the film and their experience.
The film releases online today, distributed by Tribeca Films, and powered by Giant.
Jake Scharbach and Nick Ace created the visually striking poster for the film.
About m ss ng p eces
m ss ng p eces is the new wave production and entertainment partner for content and immersive experiences that inspire culture. As the industry shifts and evolves through new mediums and new demands, we bring the missing pieces to the table to make content and immersive experiences with diverse creatives across storytelling, technology, and physical experiences – all supported by world-class integrated production. As a part of Tribeca Enterprises, and with offices in NY & LA, we produce globally recognized work for agencies, brands, and studios. In 2025, m ss ng p eces is the Webby Awards Production Company of the Year, and we’ve been named to the Ad Age Production Company A-List every year since 2015. www.mssngpeces.com
About New York Road Runners (NYRR)
A New York City-based nonprofit, New York Road Runners’ vision is to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running – serving nearly a half a million people annually through its races, free community events, youth running initiatives, and school-based programs across the five boroughs. During its nearly 70 years, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, producing more than 60 adult and youth races each year, including the TCS New York City Marathon. Held on the first Sunday each November, the TCS New York City Marathon features more than 50,000 runners—from the world’s best professional athletes to a vast range of runners across experience levels, ages, genders, abilities, and backgrounds. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.
About Tribeca Enterprises
Tribeca Enterprises is a multi-platform media and entertainment company that owns and operates the Tribeca Festival, content division Tribeca Studios, film distribution label Tribeca Films, and production company m ss ng p eces. With strong roots in independent film, Tribeca is synonymous with creative expression and entertainment. Founded in 2003 by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff, Tribeca Enterprises brings artists and audiences together to celebrate storytelling in all its forms, including film, TV, music, audio storytelling, games, and immersive. Tribeca champions emerging and established voices, discovers award-winning talent, curates innovative experiences, and introduces new ideas through exclusive premieres, exhibitions, conversations, and live performances. In 2019, James Murdoch’s Lupa Systems bought a majority stake in Tribeca Enterprises, bringing together Rosenthal, De Niro, and Murdoch to grow the enterprise.