Reph Star remembers as a kid his dad, Jose, waking up early to run, though it wasn’t something they shared together at the time. The Washington Heights native participated in other sports like taekwondo and inline skating growing up, and didn’t get into running until the 2010s. By the time Reph got serious in the sport, Jose was unable to run while recovering from an Achilles injury. But after years of ‘obsessive’ rehabilitation, Jose finally felt good enough to run again—and Reph convinced him, at age 73, to sign up for the 2022 New York City Marathon. Reph coached and ran alongside his dad that fall in New York, and they didn’t stop there, with Jose running a 4:16 at the Chicago Marathon the following year to qualify for Boston. Now, the two have a goal of running the World Marathon Majors together, a full-circle journey for the father-son duo. “It just deepened our relationship and made us closer, more loving and more supportive, and I think also strengthened our relationship and strengthened our family,” Reph says. “When people share experiences where you had to struggle, where you got to cry, you got to laugh, you got to achieve—it doesn’t matter if it’s family or if it’s friends, that’s the recipe to bring people together and to strengthen community and strengthen those family bonds.” Read the full interview at the link in bio

Horses don’t Stop, They keep Going: A Father, A Son, and the Road to Six Stars #circa95athletics 🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷 For @rephstar (Reph) and his father, @runwithpops (Jose aka Pops), running the @bostonmarathon wasn’t just another race; it was a powerful milestone in a journey defined by transformation, heritage, and love. Together, they’ve taken on the @abbottglobal @wmmajors World Marathon Majors not simply for the glory of the medals, but as a way to honor where they come from and reimagine what’s possible. This isn’t just about chasing finish lines, it’s about building legacy, uplifting community, and reclaiming space on a global stage. The Puerto Rican father-son duo, rooted uptown in Washington Heights & the Bronx have already completed New York @nycmarathon 2022 (4:49:09), Chicago @chimarathon 2023 (4:16:27 BQ), Berlin 2024 @berlinmarathon (4:21:35 BQ), and now Boston 2025 (4:31:36 BQ). These races have become more than global events; they’ve turned into stages where two men stand side by side, carrying the dreams of generations who may never have imagined such a moment. Their story is part of a larger American narrative, one shaped by the experience of immigrant and migrant families, many of whom are separated by geography, politics, or circumstance, denied even the basic joy of being together. For Reph and his Pops, running is a sacred act of resistance and reunion. It’s how they celebrate survival; it’s how they create space to breathe, to heal, and to rise. At the heart of their journey is a deeply personal role reversal. Reph, once the child looking up to his father’s wisdom, now serves as his dads coach. It’s a relationship full of mutual respect, one that challenges and nourishes them both. “Coaching my dad is how I give back,” Reph says. “It’s my way of honoring the man who’s always been there.” The miles they run together, the early mornings and long workouts, have drawn them even closer, forging something that feels both ancient and new. Continued in the comments…

Two years ago, my dad, @runwithpops and I embarked on a 6-Star @wmmajors journey by running the @nycmarathon together. A month before the big day, @tracksmithrunning pulled up to document the process. Hit the link in the bio to read the article, but here’s a quick quote from my dad: “Reph’s helped me to have a plan. I had no idea I needed speed work for a marathon. It really helps my legs and my cardiovascular fitness. It’s only been a year since my ankles healed and the progress I’ve made has been fascinating. Somebody should study me.” Written by @estanleydott Photos by @jpegs.art After this article was written and we ran the New York City Marathon, we went on to run the 2023 @chimarathon where my dad qualified for the @bostonmarathon . This year we plan to run the @berlinmarathon and then Boston in 2025. He will be 75 in July so if you see him on the road, wish him a Happy Birthday. Remember to spend time with the people you love 📈🙏🏽❤️ #happyfathersday #circa95athletics

Issa blessing to be able to coach and run with my dad in his second major marathon. He’s been booming this entire training cycle, the weather is perfect and the course is flat so you know it’s up for this race. Shoutout to everybody who made this possible. @pattydukes for being our whole support team. @wrucrew for making running uptown accessible to everyone. @tracksmithrunning for making sure we always looking clean, supporting our music, and our community initiatives. @nikenyc for making it possible to run the @chimarathon together. And you, reading this because without the running community's support, none of this would be possible. Lastly, thank you Chicago for showing love. Always good food, good people, and all of the vibes.   My dad said he is not a legend, but I’ma let you decide. Hit the comments… See you on the other side… #circa95athletics #siemprepalante 🇵🇷 🇵🇷🇵🇷 Track us, pops is 22910 and I’m 22923…

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