Nev Schulman to pace wife at 50th NYC Marathon

Nev Schulman will serve as a pacer for his wife, Laura Perlongo, during the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on Nov. 1. Perlongo, who founded the McCarren Kids Track Club in North Brooklyn, aims to complete the 26.2-mile course in under three hours and 30 minutes. Schulman, a producer and host known for Catfish: The TV Show, has participated in the event ten times. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the race, a milestone that Schulman noted with pride as he prepares for his next run.

Schulman’s connection to the marathon dates back to his childhood in the 1980s. His father, real estate broker Robert Schulman, ran the race in 1983 and finished in under three hours. Robert Schulman took his sons, Nev and Ariel, across the street from their home in Manhattan to watch runners cross the finish line near Central Park West. Nev Schulman recalled that his father called the event the best day of the year. Those early observations left an indelible mark on him and inspired his own participation in the race.

Schulman’s approach to the marathon has evolved over the last three years. He began guiding Francesco Magisano, the New York director of Achilles International, a partner for runners with disabilities. Schulman described the 2023 run as the most fulfilling of his career. Since then, he has completed three additional marathons with Magisano. Last year, Schulman guided a veteran who lost both legs during a tour in Afghanistan. The two are also training together for an Iron Man competition.

The 2024 race presented a physical challenge for Schulman. He broke his neck in a bike accident in Aug. 2024 and spent time in intensive care. He recovered enough to race that same year with Magisano by his side. Schulman said the near-end to his running career made him more grateful for the activity. He now runs to maintain his training between major events, noting that he gets a little cuckoo if he is not moving.

In the last year, Schulman joined The Nice Jewish Runners club to reconnect with his heritage. He views the rise of run clubs in New York City as a way for single people to socialize. His family has embraced running as a core part of their identity. Perlongo started the track club for their children, and the whole family identifies as New Yorkers through the sport.

Schulman has competed in marathons in London, Boston, Chicago, and Pittsburgh. He says the New York City Marathon has an inexplicable magic that other races lack. He admits that he still dreads the process and often asks himself why he does it after finishing. He cannot stop running, however, and looks forward to the next opportunity to cross the finish line.