Carpe Diem: Running in Memory of Kuni Nakamura
Rye lost Kuni Nakamura to cancer in 2023 at the age of 55.
For the second year, his family is organizing a fundraising team called “Team Carpe Diem” to run in the Soul Ryeders Half Marathon & 5k on Sunday, May 18th in Rye. The group is looking to beat their 2024 goal of raising $18,700 for the local nonprofit that supports those in the tri-state area impacted by cancer.
“My dad grew up in Eastchester, and he went to Fordham Prep,” said his daughter Kaylie Nakamura, a senior at Rye High School who is organizing Team Carpe Diem. “From his Jesuit education, giving back was a huge thing – volunteering, donating – all that kind of stuff was a huge thing to him.”
Her father sat on the board of Fordham Prep and supported other causes including seeing eye dogs (the family would host and train the puppies). The team is called Carpe Diem because “Kuni truly embodied the spirit of Carpe Diem, seizing every moment and encouraging everyone around him to do the same.”
Last year the team drew almost 80 runners, and among that group was the 5K winner Cian Galligan (RHS ‘19). Kaylie is joined by her two brothers Ken Nakamura (RHS ‘17) and Eddie Nakamura (RHS ‘19) and her mom Eileen Nakamura in the effort, which was originally organized by her aunt Nina Cheigh last year. Some of the other local folks signed on to run and raise funds are Lily Jean Nill, Charles Rupp (RHS ‘25), Kate Morreale (RHS ‘25), Hal Nathan (RHS ‘19), Lila Rupp (RHS ‘27) and Phyllis Garito. Eddie is doubling down later this fall when he will raise funds for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center as part of running in the New York City marathon.
Readers can support Team Carpe Diem (and join their team to run).
