Boston Marathon Runner Profile: Dave Zucker

Name: Dave Zucker

Age: 28

Profession: Attorney

Marathon Experience: This will be my first ever marathon, and there is no better marathon to be your first than Boston!

Reason for Running: I am running with the Melanoma Foundation of New England (MFNE) in memory of my grandfather, Irving Mande (Papa). Papa was diagnosed with melanoma long before I was born and immediately started exercising religiously and wearing wide-brim hats in the sun, practices that I never understood as a kid, without knowing the full story. If he were here to see me now, he would be so proud that I am running the marathon, and the cause I am running it for.

Charity: MFNE supports research to combat melanoma, while also sponsoring advocacy programs to teach people about the very real dangers of sun and tanning exposure. I can't think of a better cause to help raise money and awareness through my marathon run. In addition, I grew up in West Natick by the marathon route, and have distinct memories of handing out oranges to runners by the West Natick train station. It's still surreal to me that I am going to be one of those runners in two weeks!

Running for a charity has added a whole additional level of meaning to the training and the run itself, as I feel like I am part of something bigger than just my own run.

(Editor's Note: To support Dave's fundraising effort, click here.)

Training Tip: I have been training through the Fitcorp training program in Boston, and my tip would absolutely be to train with a group. While I would often end up running at my own pace during the runs, having a team to meet up with every Saturday morning got me out on the 14, 16, 18 mile runs during the dead of winter. I don't know how I would have done it if I was accountable to only myself and not a whole team.

Bib Number: 21846.