Running for a Difference: Julie and Her Journey Running for Team Ignite the Spirit

Although running didn’t always come naturally to Julie Henneberry, she has pushed herself to complete two marathons as both a way to heal from loss and to set an example for her son. Now, she’s running the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon for Team Ignite the Spirit.  With a deeply personal connection to the firefighting community, Julie is running to make a difference, one mile at a time.

Running didn’t always come easily for Julie. In fact, her running journey started at equestrian practice while part of the Equestrian Team at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Their team would practice at 6 am, running around campus. Although Julie was never the fastest on her team, she never gave up. She didn’t care about her pace; she made a point to run the whole time. 

In 2013, Julie began doing organized runs - starting with 5ks, and moving on to 10ks. Once those got easier, she started getting into half marathons. In 2023, when she saw a high school friend run the New York City Marathon, inspiration sparked. She thought, “If he can do it, so can I.”  She applied to join the 2024 New York City Marathon for the Tunnels to Towers Foundation. 

Shortly after applying, Julie lost her last horse — a devastating moment that left her feeling lost. Soon after, however, she learned she had been accepted into the marathon. Training became a source of healing through her grief, giving her strength and purpose. Now, she’s preparing for her third marathon, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, running to raise money for Ignite the Spirit.

Julie’s favorite part of running is the alone time it gives her. As a stay-at-home mom, marathon training provides the perfect “excuse” to get time just for herself. On a run, the only thing she has to focus on is putting one foot in front of the other. She loves the feeling of accomplishing something difficult, pushing through moments that feel impossible, yet continuing on. That sense of confidence is priceless, and it carries over into her everyday life.

When the miles get tough, Julie thinks of her son. She wants to set a positive example for him, showing the importance of goal setting, perseverance, and what it means to be strong both inside and out.

Raising money for Ignite the Spirit is deeply personal for Julie. On September 11th, 2001, Julie lost her father,  Lt. Peter Louis Freund, in the World Trade Center attacks. Fueled by mental health struggles that couldn’t be fully addressed while at home, Julie left New York after high school and never moved back. However, living outside of New York came with its own set of struggles, as she was repeatedly turned away by 9/11 nonprofit organizations for not being a New York resident. 

In 2021, Julie shared her struggles with Ignite the Spirit MKE, and this opened the door to re-establishing therapy, a lifeline for her mental well-being. Continued support from both her doctor and the organization became a source of comfort and healing for her, reaffirming that she wasn’t alone. 

Now, she’s giving back to the firefighting community, raising money as a part of Team Ignite the Spirit for the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. 

Being part of Team Ignite the Spirit allows Julie to give back to the fire department that never gave up on her. This year marks the 24th anniversary of losing her father in the World Trade Center. Each time Julie shares her story with firefighters, she is met with open arms. They recognize the sacrifice her father made and the sacrifices her family has carried in the years, and now decades, since his loss.

Julie would like everyone to know that Ignite the Spirit sets the example of what it means to be in the “Brotherhood”. It goes beyond individual fire departments, states, and even countries. Firefighters and their families sacrifice for the greater good, which should be celebrated and supported.