Nashua Runners Ready for Boston Marathon

They run for all sorts of reasons: in memory of a loved one, to raise money for a cause ... and just to say, "I did it."

The 117th annual Boston Marathon takes place on April 15 this year, taking runners through the course that threads from the Hopkinton starting line to Boston.

As it states on the official website, "the Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the world's most prestigious road racing events. The Boston Athletic Association manages this American classic, which is sponsored by John Hancock Financial Services. The Boston Marathon has distinguished itself as the pinnacle event within the sport of road racing by virtue of its traditions, longevity and method of gaining entry into the race (via qualification)."

Last year we talked to Marjorie Morse, who was preparing for her 21st marathon. As a physical trainer by profession, Morse understands very well the importance of preparing for a run like the Boston Marathon.

When we checked back with Morse this year, learned that sometimes, life takes unexpected turns on the way to the annual marathon. Morse suffered a stress fracture in her foot during a training run a few weeks ago:

I am very disappointed to not be able to run the marathon this year (breaking a streak that would have been 16 in a row), but the whole experience has refocused me back to the reason I do this to begin with – to raise money for Dana-Farber to fight cancer. It’s not that I wasn’t already focused on that, but you do tend to get caught up with the training, counting the number of marathons you’ve done, and the excitement of running it. I’m happy to continue the fundraising and support Dana-Farber and this marathon still counts as my 19^th run for them. I know way too many people affected by cancer, including several good friends right now being treated for breast cancer. I want to help and this is how I can be effective. My supporters have been wonderful and my fundraising is still going very well despite the fact that I can’t run. I’m up to about $7,400 for 2013 and just passed the $100,000 mark for my “lifetime” total for Dana-Farber. That felt good!

It was during my last long training run two weeks ago when I experienced the stress fracture. If it hadn’t happened then, it probably would have happened during the marathon. I will still be at the marathon cheering on my niece who is running. And I’ll participate in the Dana-Farber pasta dinner the night before, which is an awesome and emotional event. Then, on to next year!

Morse is still accepting donations for the cause. You can read her story from 2012 here. And if you'd like to make a donation for the cause, here's the link.

Here is the updated list of runners, as posted on the Boston Marathon site:

2013 BOSTON MARATHON ENTRY LISTS/Nashua

Kristy Benett, 33

Tyler Brannen, 40

Derek Brown, 24

Jeffrey S. Brown, 54

Amanda Burgess, 35

Robert C. Busby, 33

Thomas J. Cantara, 22

Skip J. Cleaver, 68

Dave Contrada, 55

Marcos C. De Sa, 36

Azeddine Jakib, 47

Kelley M Kiriakakos, 27

Rebecca McCarthy, 35

Joe Morasse, 33

Jamie W. Morse, 34

James M. O'Connell, 44

Justin Patronick, 33

Timothy Perry, 29

Sonhui Rowe, 51

Loreen M. Silva, 30

Daniell J. Sinnott, 37

Ken Snow Sr., 57

Pam Triest-Hallahan, 52

Zuzana Trnovcova, 26

Robert J. Walczak, 27

If you have any words of encouragement to the runners feel free to add them to the comments section below.