NYPD Sergeant Runs 13th Marathon With 4:20:45 Time After Two Cancer Diagnoses

NYPD Sergeant Tatiana Simons crossed the finish line of the New York City Marathon on Sunday with a time of 4 hours, 20 minutes, and 45 seconds. This marked her 13th completed marathon and her first major race since battling two separate breast cancer diagnoses in 2025.

Simons joined the department more than 12 years ago with the goal of following her father’s career path. For her first five years on the job, she worked in the same precinct as her father and wore the same police shield. Her career progressed steadily until late January 2025, when she discovered a lump in her breast. Medical confirmation followed after a week of waiting, genetic testing, ultrasounds, MRI biopsies, mammograms, blood work, and scans.

Simons continued training for the Boston Marathon in April 2025 despite the diagnosis. She paused her training intermittently for biopsies but still ran the race. She knew she was scheduled for a double mastectomy the morning after the event. During the Boston run, she said she shed tears and found it difficult to fully enjoy the course because of the upcoming surgery. She focused on controlling only what was in front of her at that moment.

After the surgery, Simons underwent reconstructive procedures and chemotherapy. She recovered and began training for another marathon later in 2025. She felt another lump in the same breast while leaving One Police Plaza. She initially believed it was a side effect of the surgery. Upon checking her medical portal, she saw the results confirming the cancer had returned. She said she screamed upon seeing the results and again when she returned home.

Simons repeated the diagnostic and treatment process. She completed two more marathons in 2025. By 2026, she reported that she is healthy. She received a promotion to sergeant this weekend. She finished the New York City Marathon on Sunday.

Simons told amNewYork that she finds a glimmer of hope each time she runs. She said, “You can’t worry about tomorrow when you’re facing today, and even though you might have a setback, it doesn’t define you.” She added that finding hope is what she did in every race.

The 2026 New York City Marathon concluded on Sunday. Simons finished in the top tier of elite amateur times, clocking 4:20:45. She is currently serving as an NYPD sergeant.