From fashion to the finish line: Bessie Bessana celebrates NYC Marathon comeback

NEW YORK - Fashion designer Bessie Bessana traded the runway for the racecourse, completing the TCS New York City Marathon after a journey marked by injury, exhausting workdays and determination.

At 41, Bessana returned to the iconic race he first ran at 25. His self-reported unofficial finish of 5 hours and 56 minutes represented more than a time on the clock—it marked the fulfillment of a dream he once feared was out of reach.

“It’s a goal I thought I would never be able to do again,” Bessana shared.

His comeback plan began in December 2023. The following year, he completed nine races and volunteered at another through the 9+1 program to earn another chance to take on New York’s streets.

He initially planned to run in 2025, but life intervened. A friend, Mona, told him he could defer his entry, giving him another opportunity to pursue his goal.

Then came another hurdle: a patella injury in January.

“I thought this dream was over,” he recalled.

Determined to return, Bessana worked through physical therapy and resumed training in March. Preparing for the Brooklyn Half became his comeback milestone, bringing new friendships along the way.

Full marathon training tested his resolve further. With work leaving him drained, finding the energy to train was often a challenge. But the designer kept his eyes on the finish line.

“I told myself, at the end of the day, even if I walk the entire course, I would finish,” he said.

While his finish was slower than his target of 5 hours and 15 minutes, Bessana had every reason to celebrate.

“I am proud of myself and proud of my dedication to my dreams and aspirations,” he shared.

For Bessana, this finish came with something no stopwatch could measure: the satisfaction of keeping a promise to himself.