Two Holliston Women to Run Boston Marathon For a Cause

In recent months, two Holliston women have run through the streets of MetroWest while training for hours on end; a grueling process to realize a dream that is exactly 26.2 miles away. 

Stefanie Smith and Michelle MacLeod have enjoyed the physical challenge of running long distance for years, but the April 16 Boston Marathon will be a test of endurance neither of them has faced. 

"Running races is an amazing sense of accomplishment. You train so hard and its just this mental push you give yourself and you feel so accomplished after," Smith said. 

"I've always run, I think that's why I got into the racing," MacLeod said. 

As Smith and MacLeod trained, they held fundraisers in Holliston and collected donations to benefit a local charity. 

The Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center, based out of Hopkinton is a facility that provides emotional and physical support for individuals with disabilities and their families, was chosen by Smith and MacLeod and combined they have raised over $11,000 for the Center. 

A day of fundraising in February included a Zumba marathon instructed by Nikki Cordon, and an evening event which featured a silent auction with items donated from local vendors brought in more than $4,000.

"It's a local charity, so I feel like people are happy to donate local and it's just an amazing place," Smith said. "I'm honored, we are very lucky to be able to run through them."

For more information on how to donate to Stefanie Smith and MichelleMacLeod's marathon run, contact Brandon Rhoads at the Lisnow Respite Center at brandonmrhoads@gmail.com.