Mark Zenobia – In Memoriam 

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Mark Zenobia, affectionately known as “Coach Mark,” who played a pivotal role in leading Team Reeve from its earliest days nearly 20 years ago until his retirement in 2022. Coach Mark, who celebrated his 77th birthday on June 19th, leaves behind a monumental legacy of mentorship and friendship among the thousands of athletes and families whose lives he touched.

Coach Mark was instrumental in helping establish Team Reeve in the endurance athletic arena, lending expertise related to runners’ events and supporting more than 1,000 athletes in raising millions of dollars to advance research for spinal cord injury treatments. These athletes, many living with paralysis or caring for someone affected by it, competed in marathons under his guidance. 

An accomplished runner himself, Zenobia’s role on paper was straightforward: to help athletes train effectively and teach them to fundraise their way to the finish line. In practice, however, his service to the Foundation and Team Reeve was far greater. He became a lifelong friend, offering words of encouragement, sharing stories to brighten one’s day, and using humor to maintain a special kind of lightheartedness despite the challenges of spinal cord injury and paralysis. 

Although Zenobia did not have a personal connection to the Reeve Foundation’s mission when he joined, his life took a poignant turn in 2020 when he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. ALS is a progressive neurological disease that results in the loss of motor function. 

“Coach Mark was unmatched in his dedication to the Reeve Foundation and every athlete who joined Team Reeve despite not having a personal connection to paralysis,” says Kelly Lamb, Team Reeve Manager, and one of Zenobia’s athletes before becoming his colleague years later. “He is the reason Team Reeve grew from just five athletes during its inaugural NYC Marathon to a $1,000,000 fundraising vehicle for spinal cord injury research by 2023. The level of care and love he provided every community member and their families leaves a lasting impression and motivates us all to push as hard as possible to raise much-needed funds. His professional mission sadly became a personal one, and the realities of ALS drove him further to fund cures.”  

Zenobia often shared that when he accepted the position with Team Reeve, he knew how to be a mentor but not a coach, and that he had to teach himself the latter. “There are many, many better coaches out there, but I knew how to fundraise,” he told his local paper, the Wilmington StarNews, in late 2022. 

Part cheerleader, part cajoler – “I was born with the right kind of chutzpah” -- Zenobia worked tirelessly to connect with his athletes and find the motivation that would drive each not only to finish the race but to start it. He got to know every athlete as an individual and worked hand-in-hand with them to develop personalized training regimens, providing the tools and confidence needed to succeed. 

“Running a marathon isn’t hard – training for a marathon is,” Zenobia would say. “My goal is to get them to the start line. If I get them to the start line, they will run a marathon and it will be worth it.” 

“As a coach, Mark was a source of wisdom, encouragement, and levity. He always had a plan, a pep talk, and a joke ready for anyone lucky enough to come under his tutelage. Coach Mark motivated, inspired, and believed in everyone. He was the best of us,” says Will Reeve, who worked with Zenobia in 2016 and again in 2021 to complete two NYC marathons. “Team Reeve and the broader running community have lost a giant. We mourn his passing but celebrate his life. We will miss Coach Mark forever, but never forget him.”  

On race day, Mark would be there, ensuring his athletes could look to him for the support they’d come to rely on throughout their journeys. “Mark once convinced a New York City police officer to allow him to perch on a light post in the middle of the course so that he would ‘stand out,’” recalls Bernadette Mauro, Director of Information & Resource Services at the Reeve Foundation, and a co-founder of Team Reeve. “I told him, ‘Don’t you know that you stand out regardless?’” 

“Mark showed me 16 years into my injury that while my running was different, it could still bring me joy,” adds Bernadette. “After Mark was diagnosed with ALS, he trusted me to help him navigate his way forward. Mentor, friend and kindred souls. Who could ask for more?”  

When Zenobia retired, the Foundation honored him as the inaugural inductee of the Team Reeve Hall of Fame. 

His wife of 50 years, Barbara, joined him at the Foundation’s office to celebrate the moment. Throughout his coaching, Barbara was his partner – getting to know the athletes and traveling to marathons together. She generously supported his work and the amount of time he dedicated to each individual he coached. Later, she became his caregiver and advocate. 

“Coach Mark’s impact on our community is so vast and profound that it’s difficult to put into words,” says Maggie Goldberg, President & CEO. “Coach Mark’s unique blend of inspiration, wit, and compassion illuminated the path for many – whether a marathon course or a life path. His courage and love for all will continue, inspiring future athletes and others to give of themselves as we achieve great strides together.” 

Remembering Coach Mark  

"Mark came into my life when I was looking for any glimmer of hope. My best friend and future husband had just sustained an injury and became quadriplegic. I was experiencing deep depression as we faced the new realities of our future. I could never have imagined the impact Mark and the Foundation would have on our lives. He motivated and loved me so deeply that I managed to run 6 marathons in 5 years and raise over $100,000 for SCI research. He was my biggest supporter on and off the course. He pushed me to believe in myself and a better future for our family. He helped me turn a love for fundraising and Reeve into the greatest career I could have ever imagined when he recommended me for the manager position of Team Reeve. It was my greatest joy to call him my colleague, confidant, and, most of all, friend. He had a leading role in our wedding and has supported us in every phase of our lives. Mark and his wife Barbara have truly become our family. I will never be able to fully express the gratitude I have for them and the roles they have played in our lives. Team Reeve will never be quite the same without Mark, but we will continue to push for cures in his honor, without pause until we cross the finish line." - Kelly Lamb 

"Coach Mark will forever be a superhero.  His wisdom, kind words, and helpful guidance has left an imprint on me that stretches far beyond running. I am lucky to be one of the many lives he touched through his coaching. In addition to his tireless dedication to the runners he coached -- from his mentorship, always available ear, and signature charm -- he also leaves an indelible impact through his philanthropic work, which will serve the paralysis community for years to come. Thank you, Barbara, for sharing him with us all.  Every time I lace up for a run, I’ll be thinking of my coach." - Josh Hoyos 

"Mark has had such a huge impact on my life. I met Mark at such a vulnerable time for my family, after my dad’s stroke, and has been there for me through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Mark was more than just a coach to me, he was a friend, a mentor, and a second dad to me, especially after I lost my own dad. Team Munnelly will love you forever, our Mark." - Kaitlin Munnelly 

"Mark was a coach, mentor, and friend. One chat with him and you’d feel like you could conquer the world. His capacity for kindness and support knew no limits. The world may feel a little dimmer without him, but his spirit lives on through all of us who were lucky enough to know him." - Danielle Weinstein 

"I’ll never forget running my 5th NYC marathon for Team Reeve in 2015, right after the Marine Corps Marathon. For some reason, I thought running two marathons in one week was a good idea. I ran the Marine Corps Marathon in the pouring rain and had two giant blisters on my heels. I was in so much pain and really questioning my sanity. On the Wednesday between the two races, my phone rang and it was Coach Mark.  He asked how I was doing and I shared my concerns. He asked a simple question: “If you toe up for NYC will you finish?” “Absolutely,” I replied. “Ok,” he said. “Then just get out there. Have fun. Put some Orajel on your feet where it hurts.” And that’s exactly what I did.  I finished the run. I’m so grateful for Coach Mark."  - Jennifer Madia 

"I joined Team Reeve in 2019 following my brother's spinal cord injury in 2018, and was one of Coach Mark’s athletes for several marathons, including the wild idea of the 2022 double! Coach Mark and I had an instant bond over swimming and triathlon. Though I never imagined running a marathon, Coach Mark had a unique way of making what feels impossible, truly possible -- and finding the love in the journey. A consistent and persistent source of love, inspiration, and guidance, Coach Mark was beyond a magnetic force. We are heartbroken and devastated by his passing, but his legacy is defined not only by medals and record times, but by the thousands of lives he's impacted, hearts he's touched and the spirits he lifted, enabling us to find the extra gears for missions larger than ourselves. I am so grateful for his love, coaching and mentorship and Barbara for sharing him with us for so many years, beside him every step of the way fighting for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation’s mission." - Jason Goldmeier

"Coach Mark gave me back a part of my life that I thought was gone forever. Before my injury, I ran long distance for fun and weekends were often a 50-mile bike ride. I thought that was all over for me. A small group of Reeve employees started Team Reeve in 2005. We were a motley bunch but had big hearts. Coach Mark joined in 2006 and I worked alongside him with our first cohort of handcyclists. When I competed again in 2007, he pushed, called, and talked me across that finish line. We remained lasting friends with enormous respect for each other. Mark showed me 16 years into my injury that while my running was different, it could still bring me joy. After Mark was diagnosed with ALS, he trusted me to help him navigate his way forward. Mentor, friend and kindred souls. Who could ask for more?" - Bernadette Mauro 

"As a coach, Mark was a source of wisdom, encouragement, and levity. He always had a plan, a pep talk, and a joke ready for anyone lucky enough to come under his tutelage. Coach Mark motivated, inspired, and believed in everyone. He was the best of us. Team Reeve and the broader running community have lost a giant. We mourn his passing but celebrate his life. We will miss Coach Mark forever, but never forget him.”  - Will Reeve