After undergoing Achilles repair surgery at HSS with Steve B. Behrens, MD, foot and ankle surgeon, Survivor winner and HSS patient Kyle Fraser reached a major milestone in his recovery: completing his first-ever marathon at the TCS New York City Marathon on November 1, 2026.

Kyle ruptured his Achilles tendon while filming Survivor 50 in Fiji in June 2025, an injury that forced him to leave the competition early. The surgery by Dr. Behrens repaired his ruptured tendon and set the foundation for Kyle to begin rehabilitation and work toward returning to the activities he loved.

Over the following year, Kyle worked his way through rehabilitation and recovery, eventually returning to running and setting his sights on completing his first marathon.

Just months into his recovery, Kyle was already looking ahead to the race. “I plan to run the New York City Marathon this fall,” he said in spring 2026. “I’m so grateful for Dr. Behrens and his team.”

Finishing 26.2 miles in New York marked a significant moment in Kyle’s recovery and demonstrates how runners can return to the sport following injury with specialized care, rehabilitation and the right return-to-running plan.

In a post to Instagram following the race, Kyle reflected on the journey: “I ran a marathon the same year I learned how to run again.” He added, "Huge thanks to Hospital for Special Surgery for getting this Achilles strong and healthy enough to run this thing".

For more on Kyle's story, visit HSS Back in the Game.