Marathon Profile: Ray Charbonneau Will Help Guide a Blind Runner

The 117th running of the Boston Marathon takes place April 15, and this week we'll be posting profiles of local runners who are taking on the marathon this year—and supporting good causes while they're at it.

Most of these runners shared their stories here, and the words below are their words. If you're running the Boston Marathon this year, feel free to share your story.

More profiles:

• Dani Holmes-Kirk Runs for Stroke Awareness
• Jesse and Carolyn Edsell-Vetter Celebrate 10-Year Anniversaries by Running
• Jane Carter Runs Her First Marathon

Name: Ray Charbonneau

Age: 51

Marathon experience: This will be my 5th Boston Marathon, and my 22nd overall. I've also run the Vermont 100 one-and-a-half times and over 200 other races.

Reason for running: This year I'm running as a sighted guide for a blind runner, Mike Merino from Texas. 50 percent of the proceeds from my new book, "Overthinking the Marathon", are going to support the Mass. Association for the Blind: http://www.y42k.com/books/overthinking_for_charity.html

Training tip: It's too late for any big changes this time around, but next time, if you want to run a faster marathon, run farther. For details, read this: http://y42k.wordpress.com/2012/08/16/ccm-diary-this-i-believe/