Swampscott's Jackie Deppen Going For 7 In 2021 Boston Marathon

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Jackie Deppen has run the Boston Marathon six previous times as part of 25 marathons she has raced in since 2004.

She wasn't about to miss running in one when trees along the 26.2-mile course were starting to turn colors instead of just beginning to show buds.

"This may never happen again and I am excited to partake in this unique experience," the 39-year-old neurology nurse practitioner told Patch. "I love fall marathons when you can train in the heat and race in the cooler temperatures."

Deppen's last Boston Marathon was in the freezing downpours in 2018. She did not run in 2019 and the 2020 race was canceled at the onset of the coronavirus health crisis. This year's Marathon was moved from its traditional Patriots Day to Oct. 11 for the first — and likely only — time in its history.

"I am most excited to run a fall Boston in, hopefully, better weather than that cold and wet race last April 2018," said Deppen, who qualified for this Boston Marathon with a first-place finish in the 2019 Caribous Marathon. "I have been waiting to run Boston since."

She said she enjoys training with her husband, Drew, and that they both race to create goals that keep them active and healthy.

Deppen is a nurse practitioner in the Boston Veterans Administration Healthcare System.

She said her previous Boston Marathons were in 2009, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018.

Are you running this year's Boston Marathon. Patch wants to why and how it went after the race. Email scott.souza@patch.com and tell us your story.

More Patch Coverage: Swampscott Runners In The 2021 Boston Marathon