Walking Dead: Lauren Ridloff to run the New York City Marathon

Lauren Ridloff is used to running from walkers on The Walking Dead, but this weekend she will be running for charity instead. Ridloff is an avid runner who often posts her running goals and accomplishments on social media. Fox 5 New York has reported she will be running the 2022 New York City Marathon.

Before changing her career to acting, Ridloff taught kindergarten and first grade at PS 347 in Manhattan, and the school held a pep rally to cheer on Ridloff and her fellow runners who are teachers at the school. Ridloff is hearing impaired, as are the other six teachers who will be running the marathon. The school held a fun-filled pep rally to encourage the runners using this opportunity to raise funds for the school. The students at PS 347 are a mix of children who can hear, have partial hearing, or are fully hearing impaired.

Ridloff has been training since May with her coach from Brooks Running organization.

"I hope that when people see me as a role model that they can see themselves as their own role models. As children who grow up in those similar experiences, you can live the way you want to. Don’t be afraid to be shy or to dream.   Lauren Ridloff"

Below is the video from Fox 5 New York showcasing the pep rally with comments by Ridloff.

The Walking Dead – Lauren Ridloff

The casting of Ridloff (Connie) and Angel Theory (Kelly), who experienced hearing loss due to a car accident when she was 14, on The Walking Dead has shed light on ASL (American Sign Language). Many of the actors and crew on the series have taken lessons in ASL to better communicate with Ridloff and Theory.

In 2019, Interpreters Unlimited recognized The Walking Dead for including Deaf and Hard of Hearing characters in the story. The series brings awareness to ASL and the deaf and hard-of-hearing community and highlights the strength this group has to be survivors in any situation.

Best of luck to Laruen Ridloff and her running group at the New York City Marathon Sunday, November 6, at 8 a.m. ET.

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