Meet Local Boston Marathon Runners On A Mission

MASSACHUSETTS — A group of local Boston Marathon runners are sharing their stories about why they are participating in the 2021 race. From raising money for personal causes to beating their own personal record, these athletes are sure to inspire others as they get ready to run 26 miles on Oct. 11.

Kristen Miquel of Newton will be running her first ever Boston Marathon with the Mass Eye & Ear Infirmary Team for her brother, Quentin, a lifelong patient who had to undergo six eye surgeries last year due to Juvenile Retinoschisis.

Miquel and her family hope their Boston Marathon fundraiser will raise awareness and funds for research to find a cure and prevent further loss of vision for Quentin and others affected by retinal conditions.

Scott Graham of Westford is celebrating his 35th consecutive time running the Boston Marathon, even running 106 laps at his local track when it was cancelled in April 2020 and again in September 2020. In April of this year when the race was postponed yet again, Graham honored his tradition of running 106 laps to get his race in.

"I am so looking forward to running a real race on October 11th," he said. "If for some reason it is canceled, you know where you can find me."

Brookline Boston Marathoner Jason Burke will be running his 26th consecutive race. he is pictured below with his kids at the starting line ahead of last year's virtual marathon.

"Really looking forward to the fall version of the race and looking forward to seeing family and friends along the course," he said.

Learning Prep School in Newton, an educational institution that provides a comprehensive program for students with language-based learning disabilities, has two special needs educators and administrators running virtually this year to support the school.

Principal Amy Davis and Chair of Transition Services Abby Heath will be running a route that begins and ends at the school, with students who have been recognized as "Good Citizens" officially starting the race and holding the tape at the finish. This will be Davis' seventh Boston Marathon and Heath's first.

"While Amy and Abby have different personal goals for this marathon, they share passion and love for all things Learning Prep," said Executive Director Kurt Moellering in a news release.

"Please join me in supporting Amy and Abby as they continue to serve as powerful role models and committed advocates for your current students and future students who will follow them in achieving their own amazing educational goals and accomplishments," he continued.

Another first-time runner is Verde Farms Chief Executive Officer and Founder Dana Ehrlich of Newton, who is competing for the MassBay Student Assistance Hunger Fund to help provide meal scholarships to MassBay students who face food insecurity.

“I grew up on the North Shore and have been watching the Marathon since I was a kid—I’ve always wanted to run it," said Ehrlich in a statement. "When I learned about MassBay’s Student Assistance Hunger Fund, doing so became a new personal mission for a several reasons. The fund aligns with my company’s goal to provide healthy and sustainable food to people across the country, as well as with my volunteer work for Pine Street Inn for their meal assistance program."

"Everyone should have access to high-quality food," he continued.

Newton cancer survivor Jim Partridge and his friend Rob Velasquez are partnering together for the marathon to support FamilyAid, a Boston-based nonprofit that empowers children and parents facing homelessness to secure and sustain housing.

Velasquez is training hard to run the Boston Marathon on October 11 to reach their fundraising goal and honor Partridge, who cannot run the race due to medical concerns.

“I’m running this race in honor of my friend," said Velasquez. "Jim Partridge made me aware of the importance that FamilyAid had on his life and how dear it is to him."

“I had hoped to run the Boston Marathon as a comeback of my own after some tough health
struggles," said Partridge. "I have been battling cancer for the last few years - mostly quietly - with the support of my family and friends. In the face of that adversity I had hoped to come back and work with FamilyAid Boston, the charity that supported me in 2013. They remind me of how
important family is to make it through life’s most difficult times.”

Glenn Stewart of North Chelmsford will run the 125th Boston Marathon as part of the Alzheimer's Association's Team End ALZ to raise funds and awareness in the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease. He is competing in honor of his wife, Marianne, who is living with Alzheimer’s disease, and his mother, who is battling dementia.

“Both have progressed as expected over the years. Each year becomes progressively more difficult, but it doesn’t happen all at once and we adapt,” said Stewart in a statement. “As a longtime runner, I do most of my running very early in the morning before my wife wakes so I’m still able to get the exercise I need to stay a little sane. Still there are days that are really difficult.”

“I've relied on the Alzheimer's Association for tips and education to deal with the disease," he continued. "Already being a runner, and having planned to run the 2021 Boston for many years, running for Team End ALZ was a no brainer."

Samantha Tavino is running for the Newton-based National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS), in honor of her husband Tom, who was diagnosed with a glioblastoma and given less than 3 years to live.

NBTS, the largest non-profit organization dedicated to the brain tumor community in the United States. NBTS works to invest in research to find treatments and a cure, provide a community to patients and caregivers, and advocate for patients.

Would you like to share your Boston Marathon story with Patch? Email me at annie.sandoli@patch.com.