Running For His Daughters: Kyle Geiselman's Boston Marathon 2021

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — In 2014, Kyle Geiselman's twin daughters Mabel and Camille were born almost 10 weeks early. Due to twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, a condition where twins share a placenta and one gets too much blood while the other gets too little, they had a variety of complications.

Camille ended up spending 77 days in the newborn intensive care unit at Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center. Mabel was there even longer: 120 days.

The twins are healthy now and turn seven next month, Geiselman said. But Mabel spent over two years with a feeding tube and for a time the doctors weren't sure if she would survive.

>>North Andover's 2021 Boston Marathon Runners: Meet All 29

The Cause

Camille, Mabel and the staff at Beth Israel give Geiselman the motivation needed to run 26.2 miles, he said. For a second time, he is running the Boston Marathon for them Monday, raising money for the hospital.

"The reason why I run for Beth Israel is all the amazing work that the doctors, nurses and everybody on staff did," Geiselman said. "Their ability and the care that they give, it's just amazing."

When Geiselman first ran the Boston Marathon in 2019, he raised money for the NICU at Beth Israel. This year, all the funds raised for the hospital will go to its "Healthcare Heroes ICU Special Campaign," set up in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

"All the doctors and nurses and staff over there need the help and support," Geiselman said.

Geiselman has raised over $10,000, as of Tuesday — more than double the amount needed to enter the marathon. His goal is to raise $12,000 by Nov. 1.

Are you running the marathon? Do you have a story of your own to share? Contact reporter Christopher Huffaker at chris.huffaker@patch.com.

The Race

Geiselman was not a runner growing up, but he was always an athlete, he said, including playing football at Boston College. After he graduated from law school, he started participating in long-distance events, including his first triathlon in 2004 and an ironman triathlon, which includes a marathon run, in 2010.

He traces his interest in the Boston Marathon back to his college days.

"Going to Boston College, marathon Monday is a huge event over there every year. School shuts down essentially and it's a really great day on campus," he said. "I remember distinctly looking at these people in awe — different levels, the ones competing to win and the people supporting and running for different organizations."

Anybody can do it, Geiselman said. It takes time, building up mileage week after week, but eventually, you reach a rhythm.

"You have to build up that capacity. Physically and emotionally, when you reach that point" where you start to break down, Geiselman said, you have to remember two things: "You know you can do it, and for me, the added incentive, you're running for a cause."

In 2019, Geiselman's net time was 4'33". He's shooting for 4'15" this year, although he'd love to get under 4 hours, he said.

"I'm running to finish and to raise money, so ultimately I'm not going to be disappointed," he said.

Geiselman's family is excited about the event. His wife made shirts for the kids to wear to the 2019 race, and the kids understand why he's running.

"They know how important the NICU is," he said.

And he's grateful they have been understanding of the many hours spent getting his miles in.

"I appreciate the support of my family in letting me go off and train," Geiselman added. "Having the support of my wife and the kids has been great."

Geiselman's fundraiser is available here.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.