By Nick Schofield Contributing Writer
T
own officials, residents and members of the running community celebrated the installation of a statue of Bobbi Gibb near the starting line of the Boston Marathon on March 27, cementing Gibb’s trailblazing legacy 60 years after her defiant run.
By Jerry Spar Managing Editor
Abutterfly and a turkey wouldn’t seem to have much in common, but together they will provide inspiration to Calli Korbey when the 25-year-old Hopkinton resident runs the Boston Marathon on April 20.
“Something that on all my big moments I carry with me is an iron-on patch of a butterfly and a turkey, in memory of my grandmother and my mom,” said Korbey, noting, for example, that she wore it on her graduation gowns. “I like to keep them close to me,
16: Joyce jumps in for HPTO, schools
23: After health scare, Prior ready to hit road
27: Riesenbergers double-team race
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In just days, Hopkinton will welcome runners from around the world for the 130th Boston Marathon, presented by Bank of America, on Patriots’ Day, April 20. We are proud to host 30,000 participants representing 137 countries and all 50 states, along with 900 volunteers and thousands of spectators in our beautiful community. Throughout your stay, you will experience the spirit and genuine hospitality of our residents, businesses and town officials.
It All Starts Here!
As Stewards of the Start, the Hopkinton Marathon Committee (HMC) has worked for months in close collaboration with race organizers, the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) and numerous town departments. While final touches are made to the logistical operations, we are all ready to once again present a safe, efficient and world-class start to this historic race.
New this year, participants will be guided in groups to the start corrals on Main Street via Grove Street, Maple Street and Church Street. These updates reflect the BAA’s continued commitment to improving race operations, enhancing efficiency and elevating the runner experience.
We invite you to join us for Marathon Weekend festivities, coordinated by the Parks & Recreation Commission, on the Town Common this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come cheer on young runners in the third annual 100-Yard Dash at 2 p.m., as children will sprint across the iconic start line, sponsored by the HMC. Also be sure to visit the beautiful Winged Foot exhibit on the Town Common.
The grand marshal for this year’s race is Jack Fultz, the beloved American long-distance runner who won the 1976 Boston Marathon in a time of 2 hours, 20 minutes, 19 seconds under extreme heat conditions exceeding 100 degrees. That year’s race became known as the “Run for the Hoses,” as spectators sprayed runners with water along the course. Jack returned in 1978 to record his personal best of 2:11:17, finishing an impressive fourth.
In collaboration with the BAA and Hopkinton Public Schools, the HMC is proud to continue a special initiative that provides students with the opportunity to line up on Marathon Way on race morning. Waving American flags and wearing commemorative T-shirts, students line the route as professional and para athletes make their way to the start. Begun in 2025, this will be part of Boston Marathon programming and offers young residents a unique, up-close connection to the event that will continue for years to come.
Since 2006, the BAA has entrusted the HMC with the honor of selecting starters for the later waves. This year’s distinguished honorees are: Hopkinton Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Gary Daugherty (Wave 3); recently retired Water & Sewer Manager Eric Carty (Wave 4), recognized for 40 years of service; recently retired superintendent of Hopkinton Public Schools Carol Cavanaugh (Wave 5), honored for nine years of leadership; and the family of Henry Arthur “Artie” Pyne (Wave 6), in recognition of his 45 years of service as a volunteer firefighter and special police officer.
The BAA and HMC also will recognize two local veterans on the starter’s platform for their years of service to our nation: Bill Muench (Navy) and Bob Letendre (Army).
By the numbers about this year’s race:
• 30,000 participants, including approximately 25,000 qualified athletes (80%);
• 56% men, 44% women and 118 non-binary entrants;
• Ages ranging from 18 to 85, with 45 as the most common age;
• 4,698 Massachusetts residents entered;
• More than 1,500 athletes who are earning their sixth Abbott World Marathon Majors star;
• 45 participants who will celebrate their birthday on race day;
• 193 nonprofit organizations that are part of the Bank of America Boston Marathon official charity program, aiming to surpass last year’s $50.4 million raised;
• More than 10,000 volunteers, including 1,800 medical volunteers;
• $1,484,500 in prize money across open, wheelchair and para athletics divisions, including course record bonuses.
Among this year’s notable runners are:
• “Love Island” Season 7 winner Bryan Arenales
• 1968 Boston Marathon men’s champion Amby Burfoot
• Former Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara
• Author/advocate Chelsea Clinton
• Dropkick Murphys guitarist Jeff DaRosa
• Comedian Laura Green
• Former NBA player Chris Herren
• Soccer legend Kristine Lilly
• 2018 Boston Marathon women’s champion Des Linden
• Astronaut Suni Williams
We extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the many individuals and organizations whose dedication and cooperation help make the start of the race a success: Hopkinton town departments and HMC members, BAA Start Team professionals, the Hopkinton Select Board, Town Manager’s Office, Hopkinton Police, Hopkinton Fire, Hopkinton Communications, Hopkinton Department of Public Works, Parks & Recreation Commission, Hopkinton Public Schools/Facilities and local partners, businesses and citizens.
May the wind be at your back as you start your journey to the finish line in Boston.
Good luck to all!
— Dorothy Ferriter-Wallace Chair, Hopkinton Marathon Committee
Thirteenyears ago, my wife Karina and I were entering a crossroads, though we were too busy to notice. We’d spent years reaping the rewards of graduate degrees and leaning into our careers. My roles required extensive travel, but as a two-person household, we were leveraging the perks for fun and financial gain.
When our first daughter arrived, the pace began wearing on us. With our second daughter on the way, reality finally hit home. To borrow a line from David Bowie, we had to “turn and face the strange changes.”
We started asking the hard questions: What are our priorities? Are these sacrifices achieving our actual goals, or are we missing too much along the way? Most importantly: Is it worth it?
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It became a 3-year plan, but after 24 years of rising through the corporate ranks at Charles Schwab and Bank of America, I opened my own Registered Investment Advisory firm, PlanDynamic, with zero clients, a vision, and a business plan.
Today, I help clients “focus on their why.” To me, financial independence isn’t just a number—it’s the flexibility of
Bobbi Gibb cuts the ribbon at her statue unveiling March 27 while joined by (from left) Town Manager Elaine Lazarus, 26.2 Foundation board member Jaimee DeMone former Boston Athletic Association president Joann Flaminio and state Rep. James ArenaDeRosa.
Gibb | from page 1
The statue was set into place at the corner of Main Street and Hayden Rowe Street a few days before the ceremony. The 26.2 Foundation organized the ribbon cutting to celebrate the statue’s placement.
Gibb was commissioned several years ago by the 26.2 Foundation to create the sculpture. It was fashioned as a self-portrait following encouragement from the organization and depicts her final moments on Boylston Street when she completed her first Boston Marathon in 1966.
The brief ceremony featured remarks from 26.2 Foundation representatives, Rep. James Arena-DeRosa and Gibb. Members from the Select Board were in attendance, as well as Town Manager Elaine Lazarus and Assistant Town Manager Lance DelPriore.
Many of my clients have successfully built careers and various financial resources on their own, but are often paralyzed by the ‘what-ifs’ of how to use those resources, including fear of loss or missing out.
choice. Many of my clients have successfully built careers and various financial resources on their own, but are often paralyzed by the “what-ifs” of how to use those resources, including fear of loss or missing out.
My job is to turn uncertainty into conviction, like telling a client, “You’re good, you can now retire early (or semi-retire). Seriously, here is the cash flow data, the scenarios we ran, and the rationales.”
We then pivot to the strategy required to maintain that independence so they never have to go back while also proactively seeking opportunities to grow their choices.
The “Sandwicher” Struggle
I have a deep passion for helping “sandwichers” because I am one myself—balancing the needs of young children while caring for aging parents.
I’ve designed PlanDynamic as a virtualfirst firm because I know your time is your most limited resource. We use real-time collaboration tools like eMoney, Kwanti and Zoom to make proactive decisions on your schedule, ensuring your plan moves as fast as your life does.
You shouldn’t have to surrender your investment control to get expert CFP®-level advice. At PlanDynamic, you can choose to remain self-directed at Vanguard, Fidelity, or Schwab; I’ll help you ensure those portfolios stay holistically aligned with your plan. We focus on the high-impact levers that actually move the needle:
• Spending Prioritization: You’ve earned the right to spend, but is it on what matters most?
• Investment Discipline: Are you “buy and hold” until emotions make you realize diversification isn’t the same as asset allocation?
• Efficiency: Are you maximizing tax efficiency and saving in the right places, for both today and in the future?
• Strategic Leverage: Are you managing debt, growing your income, and maximizing access to credit you’ve earned?
• Risk Management: Have you planned for the “what-ifs” regarding your aging parents, your retirement, and your future adult children?
My financial independence journey continues to prove the value of proactive planning, continuous updating, and using money as a tool. You don’t achieve it by beating a market benchmark by 0.3%.
You get there by defining your “why” and making the plan that is best for you, your family, and those you love. Whether you need a one-time project to build your foundation or an ongoing partnership to grow and maintain it, I’m here to help you do the same.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
Glenn Brown is a Holliston resident and owner of PlanDynamic, LLC, www.PlanDynamic.com. Glenn is a fee-only Certified Financial Planner™ helping motivated people take control of their planning and investing, so they can balance kids, aging parents and financial independence.
Kim Chisholm, executive director of development and institutional advancement for the 26.2 Foundation, kicked off the celebration. She lauded Gibb for breaking barriers and inspiring other runners with her historic run of the marathon. Chisholm also recognized Susan Hurley, who she described as “a true champion of this project,” adding that she “played an instrumental role in the fundraising.” Hurley died in November after a battle with ovarian cancer. She was the founder of CharityTeams, a small business aimed at assisting nonprofits with fundraising through athletic events. She helped raised $42 million for nonprofits and trained marathon runners for 18 years.
“She believed deeply in the power of women in this sport, and she had tremendous admiration for Bobbi,” said Chisholm.
Jaimee DeMone, a 26.2 Foundation board member, recounted Gibb’s history with the Boston Marathon and highlighted the impact her run had on equity for women in sports.
Her words referenced Gibb’s entrance into the 1966 Boston Marathon, as Gibb jumped into the race at the start after her application to join was denied. She became the first woman to complete the race, and her act of defiance helped lead to race directors opening the Boston Marathon to women a few years later.
“Bobbi, the impact of your courageous act and life is profound and important,” said DeMone.
Rep. Arena-DeRosa also heralded the success of women in sport. “We have learned that we can celebrate girls and celebrate women in their achievements, and at the same time continue to celebrate boys and their achievements as well,” he said.
“Boston’s shown the world there’s enough space on the road,” added ArenaDeRosa.
The representative, along with Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka, helped secure a $20,000 earmark in the state budget to fund the construction and landscaping of the sculpture’s location at 2 Hayden Rowe Street, at the intersection with Main Street.
Last to speak was Gibb, who kept her remarks brief. She recognized the ribbon cutting coincided with both the 60th anniversary of her iconic run and the 250th anniversary of the United States. She invoked the principles of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” and spoke to the nation’s history of upholding and fighting for civil liberties.
“We’ve always had this vision of humanity,” said Gibb. “I think we need to remember that … and try to live up to that.”
By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer
Four longtime Hopkinton public servants have been chosen as the official starters for the final four waves of this year’s Boston Marathon on April 20.
This year, six waves of runners will start the race, two more than in past years. They will follow the more competitive divisions, including the wheelchair, hand cycles/duos, men, women and para athlete divisions, respectively.
The decision was made to optimize the flow of the 30,000 runners after working with crowd scientists, according to a statement released in March by the Boston Athletic Association, the marathon’s organizer since its inception in 1897. All athletes are anticipated to be across the starting line before 11:30 a.m., as in previous years. They will have the same amount of time to complete the course, with the finish line closing at 5:30 p.m. in Boston.
As a symbol of appreciation to the town, the BAA has allowed the Hopkinton Marathon Committee to choose the starters for the final race waves since 2006. This year’s honorees include former Water & Sewer manager Eric Carty, former Hopkinton Public Schools Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh, Hopkinton Fire Chief Gary Daugherty and the Pyne family.
The Pyne family was chosen to honor its patriarch, Henry Arthur “Artie” Pyne. Artie Pyne, who died in January
at the age of 84, gave 45 years of service to Hopkinton as a volunteer firefighter and special police detail officer.
Carty reflects on hometown connection
Carty, a lifelong Hopkinton resident, noted in an email that he has been
a part of the town’s Marathon Day celebration his entire life in both personal and professional contexts. He called being chosen as the Wave 4 starter “the honor of a lifetime.”
“It is a true humbling honor to be recognized for my 40 years of service to the town and to be able to have my family there with me,” he stated.
“Being a kid and going up to the start every year was always something I looked forward to,” recalled Carty. “We would walk up or ride our bikes with our neighbors and enjoy all the vendors at the common and the crowds from all over the world!”
Before stepping into a management role, Carty noted that he worked for 16 years as part of the Department of Public Works team that helped with the town’s marathon preparations.
“After I got married, we would go up to my sister-in-law’s house each year and have breakfast before heading down to the start,” he reminisced. “When we had our own kids, we were able to have them participate in the tradition as well.”
As he fires the starting pistol, Carty shared that will be thinking about his mother.
“When I was a kid, she would always be out playing sports with me and would always bring me up to the starting line,” he stated.
After nine years of service to the Hopkinton Public Schools, Cavanaugh retired last June from her role as the district’s superintendent. She shared her enthusiasm over being selected as the Wave 5 starter and returning to Hopkinton.
“I am truly honored to serve as a Boston Marathon starter,” she wrote via email. “[W]hen invited to serve, I was really surprised; then flattered and finally super grateful — in that order.”
Added Cavanaugh: “In fact, I think I’m still all of those things!”
During her tenure, Cavanaugh experienced the Boston Marathon through school-based celebrations and community events. The former superintendent stressed “the electric anticipation at the start line.”
“I love how alive everyone feels on Marathon Day,” she stated. “The energy is unparalleled.”
“I’m not sure I had ever witnessed an athletic event celebrated so beautifully,” she noted. “I know that the run itself is a test of human endurance, but the race also celebrates our connected humanity — globally, nationally and locally.”
Starters | 6
start line never changes.
One of Cavanaugh’s fondest marathon memories was meeting Bobbi Gibb, the first woman to run the entire course in 1966. Gibb described her barrier-shattering run as well as her participation in the marathon the following two years at a local event Cavanaugh attended.
“I knew I was in the company of a resolved woman who broke the rules, carving out courses for women to run in every field of study, in every workplace, in every athletic contest,” Cavanaugh shared. “It has stayed with me, as does my indebtedness to Bobbi Gibb and the women like her who have changed history.”
Cavanaugh “never imagined” being chosen as a wave starter. She will be celebrating the day with her four grandchildren.
“For me, firing the starter pistol is a symbol in real life,” she stated. “[W] hile it’s an amazing culmination of my time in Hopkinton, it also serves as the start for so many runners and symbolizes the start of new courses brought on by retirement — for me, too.”
Fire chief plays instrumental role
Daugherty will fire the pistol to start Wave 3.
“The Marathon has always been more than just a race to me,” stated Daugherty in a press release regarding his two decades of involvement. “Through all the changes I’ve seen, the excitement and determination at each
“Personally, it’s inspiring to know that the event brings people from all over the world for a shared purpose,” he continued. “Professionally, it has also connected me with so many talented and dedicated individuals working toward a common goal.”
In addition to his role as fire chief, Daugherty serves as the marathon’s emergency management director. His leadership in establishing, coordinating and refining the complex safety and emergency operations plan is critical to Marathon Monday’s success. This plan supports more than 30,000 runners, 1,000 Hopkinton volunteers and countless spectators.
Pynes’ commitment to town honored
Jeff Pyne, who also has dedicated more than 20 years of service to Hopkinton, will fire the starting pistol for Wave 6 in honor of his father. He will be joined by family members on the platform. This moment will honor not only Artie Pyne’s tireless commitment but also a family tradition of service.
“I’ll be thinking of my dad,” stated Jeff Pyne in a press release. “He served the community as a volunteer firefighter for 45 years and continued his dedication as a detail officer, including working the marathon for many years after his retirement.
“As a family, we always looked forward to seeing him at the corner of Main and Grove streets,” he continued. “Honoring him in this moment will mean everything to us.”
By William T. Hamilton Jr. Contributing Writer
The current generation recognizes 1 Ash Street as the local home to the Boston Athletic Association, organizer of the Boston Marathon. But this building, located at the intersection with East Main Street, about 50 feet from the Boston Marathon start line, has a long and storied history.
In 1875, 1 Ash Street was constructed to be a four-room school. At the time, Hopkinton had four small schools. There was Hayden Rowe School, a two-room school that became Grange Hall and now is the Hopkinton Historical Society building.
Next was a two-room school off Wood Street in Woodville that now houses the Woodville Rod & Gun Club. Then there was a school at the corner of Pond Street and School Street. That building became a community center for the neighborhood before being razed in the 1960s.
Last was a two-room school in front of where the Center School building now stands, at 11 Ash Street. This building was razed when the larger Center School was constructed, around 1928.
After Center School was built, 1 Ash Street — which had two classrooms on the first floor and two on the second floor — was gutted to make one large space that became the town gymnasium. It was used to host all of the Hopkinton schools’ home basketball games.
In 1955, when I was in eighth grade, I played junior high school basketball there.
In 1956, the gym was closed, as all basketball games were played in the new Junior/Senior High School gym. Within a couple of years, the building at 1 Ash was sold, to be used as offices. An addition was built on the east side, the second floor was reinstalled, and the whole building was divided into office space.
In 1995, the Boston Athletic Association, organizer of the Boston Marathon, bought the building. The following year, the BAA moved its local offices from the old Hopkinton High School building on Main Street to 1 Ash.
In 2025, the whole building was renovated to make a marathon museum on the first floor, where the gym had been While the renovation was underway, the old gym floor was discovered, mostly intact, after being covered over for about 70 years. There were plans to repair the court and use it for the museum floor.
In the last 150 years, the building has had many uses, and it remains a great-looking building. With the Boston Marathon starting line just steps away, there could not be a better use for it.
By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer
T
he Boston Marathon, held on Patriots’ Day, is one of the ultimate tests of strength, endurance and courage. These are traits not only held by runners and athletes but also by military veterans who have spent much of their adult lives preserving and defending our country’s freedom.
As part of the Marathon Day festivities, the Hopkinton Marathon Committee honors two Hopkinton veterans for their service and commitment. This year, the organization chose Bill Muench and Bob Letendre.
“I am truly honored to be recognized for my service in the U.S. Navy by the Hopkinton Marathon Committee,” Muench wrote in an email. “It is a privilege to represent my veteran colleagues of the Hopkinton community on this Massachusetts Patriots’ Day.”
He added that the day is special because it weaves together America’s Revolutionary War heritage with local pride. The Boston Marathon and the armed forces symbolize “endurance and resilience, echoing the determination of the colonial militia,” he noted.
A native of Rochester, New York, Muench has lived in Hopkinton for the past 37 years. He graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in 1970. Muench then enrolled in the ROTC at Villanova University and received his Naval commission upon graduation. He later attended a gunnery weapons officer training program in Virginia.
In 1975, he was transferred to the USS Mobile (LKA-115) out of San Diego. He served as a weapons officer until 1977.
One of Muench’s favorite memories during that time frame was the celebration of the nation’s bicentennial on July 4, 1976. It commemorated the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
“[T]he Navy, along with the Marine Corps, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard, was central to this most iconic event,” he shared. “My ship was delegated to be a visit-a-ship in Sitka, Alaska. The other ships in my amphibious squadron visited the ports of Juneau and Anchorage, Alaska.
“After the Fourth of July celebration, our squadron participated in an amphibious Naval exercise in the Gulf of Alaska,” Muench continued. “It brought back memories of my dad, who served as an officer on the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Onondaga (WPG - 79) during the 1942 Japanese attacks on Dutch Harbor in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. My dad was very influential in me enrolling in the Naval ROTC program at Villanova University, where I received my commission.”
Muench was honorably discharged from active duty in 1977. He remained in the reserves until 1991, when he retired after achieving the rank of lieutenant commander.
Since that time, he has remained active in the local veterans community as a member of American Legion Post 202. He expressed appreciation to the Hopkinton Veterans Celebration
Committee and the Senior Center for their work in support of veterans.
“It is always an honor to pay
tribute to the Hopkinton veterans at funerals and burial ceremonies,” he stated, “along with the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Hopkinton cemeteries and the Town Common.”
Letendre has lived in Hopkinton for 47 years with his wife, Cynthia. They have three children: Janice, Mike and Tyler-James.
He enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam War upon his graduation from Marlborough High School in 1970. Then he went to basic training at Fort Dix, near Trenton, New Jersey.
After basic training, Letendre received advanced training. He became a communications specialist and was stationed in Germany from 1971-73.
During this period, he installed antennas on mountaintops.
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For his bravery, Letendre received the National Defense Service Medal and was honorably discharged in 1973. This is a military award authorized for honorable active service during designated periods of high-stakes conflicts. They include the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and the Global War on Terrorism that began after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
Professionally, Letendre worked at Danafilms in neighboring Westborough, earning the role of supervisor.
“Just want to say it’s a pleasure to be honored by the Town of Hopkinton for my service in the Army,” stated Letendre in an email. “I am also grateful for our monthly meeting at the Senior Center where we fellowship with other veterans as well. This town has served its veterans well, it has been a pleasure living here for more than 45 years.”
By Nick Schofield Contributing Writer
Children will have the chance to dash across the Boston Marathon start line ahead of this year’s race as part of the Hopkinton Marathon Committee’s third annual 100-Yard Dash.
The event, which takes place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, is open to ages 5-12. Marathon Committee chair Dorothy Ferriter-Wallace explained that the race is a free event that offers youngsters the chance to be a part of the buildup to the Boston Marathon and be the first ones to run across the start line.
Around 200 children participated in last year’s dash, maxing out registrations and necessitating a waitlist. Ferriter-Wallace noted that the event is very popular and anticipated having to set up a wait list for this year’s event as well.
“I heard from a lot of parents this year that the kids haven’t stopped talking about it from last year,” she said.
Participants will get a race bib, a finisher’s medal and a T-shirt. Medals will be given out on the starter’s platform following the race, and gear for this year’s event will be themed in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Ferriter-Wallace noted the race mostly will remain the same as last year, though the Marathon Committee has worked with the Hopkinton Police Department to streamline the event and maximize safety for everyone participat-
ing and spectating.
“Parents were running with the kids last year [along the course],” she explained. “It was a safety issue.” To resolve the concern, parents will be allowed up on the VIP grandstand on Main Street to watch their children run across the start line.
The race coincides with the Parks & Recreation Department’s Celebrate the Start Line event, which takes place from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. the same day. Families can check out food vendors, merchants, the annual Winged Foot Exhibition, games and more. Both the Parks & Rec event and the 100-yard dash are free to attend.
“Everybody loves a free event,” Ferriter-Wallace mused.
The Hopkinton Center for the Arts’ annual Winged Foot Exhibition is on display at the Town Common until April 26. The designs then will be auctioned off to raise funds for the HCA and the 26.2 Foundation, which is working to building an International Marathon Center in town.
The HCA selected 26 proposals from artists for the display. Local businesses provided a stipend to the artists, who were given a flat winged-foot cutout made of Versatex. The artists then added their weather-resistant designs.
The pieces were mounted to metal poles and installed in a corner of the Town Common on April 3.
Local brewer honors Fultz
Start Line Brewing, located on Hayden Rowe Street, brews a Marathoner IPA each year as a fundraiser for the 26.2 Foundation.
“Each year we recognize an individual or theme that embodies the spirit of marathoning and the incredible dedication to the sport of running,” the company shared.
This year’s honoree is Jack Fultz, who, 50 years ago, won the 1976 Boston Marathon — the “Run for the Hoses” due to the extreme heat on race day that led to spectators spraying water onto the course to cool down the runners.
Fultz stopped by Start Line Brewing last month to check out production of the ale.
Andrew Racca is running the Boston Marathon on behalf of the Lake Maspenock Preservation Association, an organization that is “dedicated to the health and beauty of Lake Maspenock and its surrounding environment in Hopkinton, Upton and Milford,” he explained.
“I’ve chosen to support the LMPA mission after my parents recently retired and decided to fulfill their dream of having the new hangout spot for myself, brother, sisters, and all our friends when they decided to retire and move to the lake!” Racca shared on his fundraising page (givengain.com/project/andrewraising-funds-for-lake-maspenockpreservation-association-115360).
Racca calls himself an “avid runner.”
“Distance running runs deep in my family,” he shared. “I’m one of three family members to have completed the marathon distance with my uncle being the only one of us to have participated in the Boston Marathon (12 times in the name of charity!).”
John Eder’s journey to Boston hit a roadblock when he broke his right ankle while running his hometown Dallas Marathon in December. “It’s quite amazing how big an ankle can swell with 25 miles left to finish a race,” he noted.
Eder, who is running Boston to support the Friends of Hopkinton Special Education Parent Advisory Council (givengain.com/project/john-raisingfunds-for-friends-of-hopkinton-sepacinc-116003), planned to turn his focus to fundraising while he took time off from running and “reflect on the positive impact we’re making as a team,” he wrote. “I’ve always highly valued education in all forms and at all levels. So I’m really appreciating the opportunity to … make a tangible, impactful contribution [to] further enable the education of deserving students and families.”
Specifically, the money raised is targeted for Navigator Scholarships, which help students afford college or vocational training.
Veteran marathoner Kristi Flis will attempt her first Boston this year, calling it “a dream of mine.” In the process, the Florida resident is raising funds for the Friends of Hopkinton.
“Running has completely transformed my life,” Flis wrote on her fundraising page (gofund.me/48c46e3f4). “What started as a way to meet new people after moving from Pennsylvania to Florida became my greatest source of strength, connection, and purpose. Never did I imagine that the girl who once avoided the timed mile in high school (by taking an online bowling class—yes, really!) would one day proudly call herself a marathoner. Yet here I am, chasing the dream of Boston.
“Boston is often called ‘the unicorn of all races’ — elusive, magical, and inspiring runners to chase what once felt impossible,” Flis continued. “To me, it represents heart, grit, and the relentless pursuit of something greater than ourselves. In December 2024, just four months before the London Marathon, I suffered a traumatic head injury, fracturing my occipital bone. Recovery was long and challenging, but with determination and the unwavering support of family and friends, I healed, trained, and ultimately crossed the finish line in London — my fourth major marathon. That experience showed me the power of resilience and reminded me that we are capable of more than we ever imagine.”
Siwei Luo has run 14 marathons, two 50-kilometer races and numerous other long-distance runs. This year, she’ll take on the Boston Marathon on behalf of the South Asian Circle of Hopkinton.
An IT specialist working for the government in Washington, D.C., Luo is aiming to complete the Abbott World Marathon Majors, which consists of six marathons across the world. She’s already run Chicago, Berlin, London, New York City and Tokyo, leaving Boston as last on her list.
According to her fundraising page (gofund.me/31f3f79ae), Luo is a backof-the-pack runner — “someone who runs for joy, community, and perseverance.” She also has served as a running coach and organized fundraising fun runs for a local elementary school.
Therese Kerman shared that the Hopkinton Lions’ motto, “We serve,” “fits so closely with my own way of seeing the world and helping others.”
This is why the New Hampshire resident is proud to raise funds for the organization as part of her Boston Marathon experience (gofund.me/071932d55).
“They truly are a COMMUNITYbased service group,” she wrote, noting the Lions’ efforts to support humanitarian projects both locally and around the world.
Korbey | from page 1
celebrating me and motivating me.”
Korbey explained that her grandmother Charlotte Marquedant, who passed away in 2012, loved butterflies and had butterfly bushes in her yard. “When I saw butterflies, it would make me think of her,” she said.
Meanwhile, her mother, Mary, a standout basketball player who returned to her hometown of Hopkinton after playing at UMass and became a beloved youth sports coach as well as a real estate agent, would refer to Calli and her older sister, Mikala, as turkeys “when we were being goofy,” Calli recalled. The term stuck with her as one of many positive memories of her mother, who succumbed to cancer 2015 while Calli was in high school.
“It reminds us to slow down and remember all the good things she taught us,” Korbey said, adding: “My mom has been in my head all the time. Something she would always say to me is to believe in myself and that I am capable of so much more than I think I am capable of. When I’ve had some long, hard runs, I’ve heard that voice, and it’s really special.”
That belief is being put to the test this month, as Korbey attempts her first marathon as a fundraiser for the town’s Veterans Celebration Committee (gofund.me/414f4ea64).
Korbey has some experience running, as she was on the cross country team at Hopkinton Middle School and Hopkinton High School — although it was primarily to stay in shape for basketball, which she went on to play collegiately at Worcester State University.
Now an adjustment counselor for the Shrewsbury Public Schools who recently obtained her social work license, Korbey — who also serves as the Hopkinton Middle School girls basketball coach — has long held thoughts about taking on the marathon challenge.
“Living just down the street from the starting line, we went to the start every year and I always thought it was the coolest thing,” she recalled. “In the back of my mind, I knew I wanted to do it someday.
“Since graduating from college and not playing a sport anymore, I was looking to work toward something like that again. It felt like the next thing to add to my list.”
While she has hit the roads occasionally since college, Korbey never ran
consistently until she started her training this past December. She searched online for a training plan, “picked it, and have gone pretty much solo the whole time.”
The rough winter made things challenging — “I couldn’t catch a break with the weather,” she said — but Korbey continued to head outside for her training runs, saying she found running on a treadmill “too painful.” She has, however, cross-trained by riding on a stationary bike.
Squeezing in runs “super early or super late” to avoid conflicts with her work schedule, Korbey plugged away, quickly realizing how much of a commitment it is to train for a marathon.
“It’s been going well,” she summed up. “I got advice from other people, but I totally underestimated the amount of time this would take every day to train. But it’s been so cool to see what I was able to accomplish.”
Noting that she is running “just to finish — no set time,” Korbey has kept her runs local. She’s not concerned about testing the Newton hills or other sections of the route in advance.
“I’ve gone as far as Ashland, but I figured any direction in Hopkinton gives me enough hills to train,” she said. “I was not planning on [running other parts of the course]. I prefer to just wing it and not scare myself too much. It will give me something new and different on the day of the race.”
Her sister ran a few years ago — which marked the first time Korbey made the trip into Boston to see the finish — and offered some tips that have proved valuable.
“She said to practice hills and practice eating and fueling during your run, so I’ve been experimenting with some different stuff because that’s all so new to me,” Korbey said.
For inspiration, Korbey typically relies on music and introspection.
“I need to be listening to something,” she said. “And I would say a lot of the time is thinking about family and why I put myself in these situations, why I challenge myself like this. Thinking about messages, positive affirmations that have been told to me. It’s me vs. me. This is really hard, but it’s rewarding. One step at a time and it will work out.”
Her father, Mike, is impressed with her dedication to her latest endeavor.
“When Calli told me last year that she was planning to train for the marathon, my first reaction was ‘Are you crazy?’ ” Mike shared. “But I’ve learned over the years that I should never doubt her. When she puts her mind to something, no matter how difficult, it will happen. We are all so proud of how hard she has worked to be ready for this and can’t wait to cheer her on.”
On race day, Korbey will have the support of friends and family — including her father, sister and brother, Cooper — to make the day extra special.
“My family is planning at least one stop in the middle of the course and then to meet me at the end,” she said. “It will be awesome to see them in the middle and then see me cross the finish line.”
By Sandy Quadros Bowles Contributing Writer
Roland Ruprecht has double the reasons to run the Boston Marathon.
The Hopkinton resident is raising money for the Hopkinton Scout Leaders Association (givengain.com/project/ roland-raising-funds-for-hopkintonscout-leaders-association-116275).
The organization, he said, has greatly benefited his 8-year-old son Emmett, a member of Cub Scout Pack 97.
Ruprecht won’t be running alone. Along with sharing the course with thousands of other participants, Ruprecht will be running alongside his twin brother, Edward.
Even as he prepares for the biggest race of all, Ruprecht explained that running is a fairly new venture.
Ruprecht was a longtime cyclist when he moved back to the United States after living overseas for work. He traded in a cycle for a pair of sneakers and developed a new passion for running.
Running is more portable than Roland Ruprecht will run Boston with his twin brother and raise money for the Hopkinton Scout Leaders Association.
There are 48 individuals registered to run this year’s Boston Marathon who listed Hopkinton as their hometown.
RUNNER NAME WAVE/ CORRAL BIB NUMBER
Sonal Ambwani 30555 6-Orange/5
Cameron Arnold 3610 1-Red/4
Aamir Benincaso 28696 6-Orange/3
Benton Berman 27563
Alex Brown 1619
Monica Brum 31998
Lindsey Buonocore 28958
Adam Castoreno 30609
Dara Dalmata 17801
Joy Donohue 26142
Adam Farkes 28822
Keith Gilbreath 30396
Ben Girard 27190
Rachel Grimm 27179
Lucy Harmon 16954
Lexi Hasbrouck 27038
Michael Hovagimian 11712
Kelley Howell 26918
Cailin Joyce 21749
Caitlin Kelly 14863
Calli Korbey 32159
Nicole Maclennan 21402
Andrea Marguerite 28340
Shawn Masterson 14424
Chris Mastroianni 4792
Delaney Mick 26572
Matthew Prior 32400
Samantha Purpura 31332
Drew Riesenberger 31673
Mitch Riesenberger 27332
Elizabeth Roche 30382
Lawrence Rodkey 32069
Roland Ruprecht 9850
Mallory Sakats 30223
Heather Santucci 30233
Michael Schroeder 407
Alex Scott 10086
Alex Stenquist 30224
Rachel Stevenson 29082
Ryan Sullivan 32393
Doug Sulser 32830
Gerardo Toledo 30235
Kim Tucker Tremblay 30198
Autumn Tumbleton 16577
Grant Van Ranst 30348
Victor Velazquez 2957
Sheila Wenzel 28849
Adam Zandonella 28692 6-Orange/3
cycling, he noted, and does not require taking along equipment.
Some of his new enthusiasm for running was inspired by his twin, a devoted marathoner. Ruprecht decided to take up running in part “to do something with my twin brother.”
The two, he notes, are quite competitive. Ruprecht outran his brother in their first race, and their times were “very close” in the second effort.
Together they will run the biggest marathon of all.
The race especially excites Ruprecht because he now lives in the town where the marathon begins.
“It’s iconic,” he said. “The history
behind it and being able to start a marathon in the town that I live and going through all the different towns that I know.”
After running other marathons, he appreciates that the race reflects the spirit of the host community, which in this case happens to be his hometown.
“Being a part of their community is special” to runners, he said. “To get to appreciate their culture, their community.”
Having support from bystanders and fellow runners makes the marathon experience special, he added.
And so does running for a cause that he values so greatly. When the family returned to the United States, Emmett didn’t really know anyone, his father noted.
Involvement in the Scouts helped him develop a sense of belonging, Ruprecht said.
In his two years of participation, Emmett has “learned good sportsmanship and respect for himself and his peers and his leaders.”
Those are “two big’’ values to instill, Ruprecht said.
His son’s reaction to the pack’s
recent Pinewood Derby showcased the growth he has made, Ruprecht said. While a loss might have been greatly disappointing during his first year at the derby, this year Ruprecht was proud of the support his son showed fellow competitors.
He also has enjoyed sleepovers at Mystic Aquarium, Roger Williams Zoo and Sturbridge Village and sciencebased experiences such as a rocket launch.
That made running for the Scouts an easy decision, he said, noting: “I thought it would be a great way to help the kids.”
The Scout Leaders Association appreciates Ruprecht’s effort and notes that he will benefit the entire scouting community in Hopkinton.
“The funds that Roland is raising will help fund Eagle projects for Boy Scouts, gold and silver projects for Girl Scouts and high-adventure trips for our older Scouts,” association treasurer Bruce Tannenbaum said.
When he starts the race in his hometown and runs the famous 26 miles with his twin brother, Ruprecht has a specific goal, one that does not involve numbers on a digital clock.
“We’re looking forward to running and finishing,’’ he said. “Our goal is not a time, but to cross the finish line together.”
And with each shared stride, as he travels his hometown race known around the world, he will be accompanied by the enthusiasm and gratitude of Hopkinton scouts, serving as the wind at his back.
By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer
When Hopkinton native Lindsey Buonocore ran her first Boston Marathon in 2011, she recalled viewing running as a way to “decompress” from life’s stresses and pursue a personal goal with passion.
“I wanted to focus all my energy into doing something cool like running the Boston Marathon, so I did,” she explained. “I said that I would never do another one, but then you just kind of get hooked from there.”
After a 10-year break from marathon running, she decided to run on behalf of the South Boston Neighborhood House (sbnh.org), a nonprofit organization she became connected with a decade ago when she lived in that area. Since that time, she not only has volunteered countless hours there but also built a strong support network for her and her family.
Running helps return from ‘very low point’
The 38-year-old last ran the Boston Marathon in 2016. She said it was her fourth time participating in the historic race.
Buonocore said she had stopped running for marathons for several years because she was at what she described as “a very low point” in her life. She had planned on getting married, but the relationship ended.
“I was living in my good friend’s sister’s basement at the time in South Boston,” Buonocore recalled. “I remember when my parents encouraged me to join a marathon team because I had loved running so much and maybe I’d meet more people.”
Buonocore joined the team that ran for the Heather Abbott Foundation based in Newport, Rhode Island. During the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, Abbott was injured in the explosion, and part of one of her legs had to be amputated. Donations from thousands of people allowed her to have a prosthesis and be able to run again. Abbott created a foundation as a way to help other amputees pay for prosthetic limbs, which Buonocore said inspired her.
Through this experience, Buonocore made a connection in 2016 that would powerfully shape her life.
“Because it was a small team, we joined CharityTeams, which has really taken off now,” she said.
CharityTeams is an organization that helps coordinate fundraising for charities through athletic events. It also connects smaller organizations to form training and fundraising programs. This is how she met her best friend, Orla O’Brien.
O’Brien was running for the South Boston Neighborhood House (SBNH), affectionately known as “The Ollie” after its founder, Olivia James. The organization celebrated its 125th anniversary at a gala event in March.
“She and I just kind of hit it off,” Buonocore said of O’Brien. “We did all the training together and ran the 2016
marathon together.”
This friendship led her to step up and join an SBNH fundraising team for its annual gala. She has volunteered in some capacity ever since, initially by teaching a yoga class for pre-teen girls.
Created as a settlement house, the SBNH has helped generations of South Boston’s most vulnerable residents of all ages. From a preschool to trips for teens, the SBNH seeks to offer resources to the community. It also serves family dinners at Thanksgiving and does holiday shopping to help those in need.
“It’s very cool because it helps kids, young families and the elderly,” explained Buonocore. “I said that if I ever did another marathon, I would run for them and raise money. I just really love their mission, so running for them was a no-brainer.”
Since 2016, Buonocore’s life has evolved. She moved to Charlestown, where she met her husband and had her first of two daughters (now ages 6 and 3).
“We had a baby and decided that we just needed more room,” she explained. “I grew up in Hopkinton, so I thought we should look at houses here.”
Her home now is a half-mile from the house in which she grew up, which she said was serendipitous.
Added Buonocore: “It’s crazy how things go full circle.”
Two factors that led her home were the strong sense of community and the stellar school system. She simultaneously maintained her ties with the SBNH, volunteering to serve holiday dinners.
“I still love being involved in any way I can,” he said. “It’s just harder with two little kids.”
Volunteer ‘village’ supports training
Buonocore began training for the marathon in the fall. She connected with CharityTeams once more to set up a training schedule and coordinate fundraising.
She added that she had to be “creative” this year because she is balancing a full-time job and her family with her regimen. Also, her husband is recover-
By Susan Gonsalves Contributing Writer
Hopkinton resident Sonal Ambwani said running in the Boston Marathon is “the fulfillment of a longawaited” dream.
Growing up in a small town in India, Ambwani first heard about the event from her high school track coach, who had his own aspirations to participate.
But Ambwani’s running days started earlier, at age 10, when her first race experience went very well. “From there,” she noted, “my passion for running built.”
In 2004, she moved to the United States and, while attending Boston University, the subject of the Boston Marathon was raised once again.
Ambwani and her friends would watch and cheer on the runners at St. Mary’s Street and Beacon Street. “And every year I would say, ‘I will do that one day,’ ” she recalled.
She decided to participate on behalf of the Hopkinton Education Foundation. As a member of that nonprofit’s board, Ambwani has had an inside view of its work.
“I love the foundation’s mission,” said Ambwani, a resident of Hopkinton for the past decade.“They work hard to procure funding that allows educators to think outside of the box.”
Past funding to enhance innovation in the classroom included mindfulness programs, virtual reality travel and 1:1 technology like Chromebooks. Grants from the foundation pay for hands-on experiences that the school budget often cannot cover.
“It is so fulfilling and heart warming to see things that were funded happening in person,” she noted.
The Boston Marathon will be Ambwani’s first, although she has run halfmarathons and long distances before.
So, what differentiates this marathon from others?
Ambwani believes it is the “atmosphere of sportsmanship” across the course that she has witnessed over the years.
“From what I’ve seen, the energy and the smiles on the faces of the runners makes the Boston Marathon so
Sonal Ambwani, shown with her son, Aariv Das, is running the Boston Marathon to support the Hopkinton Education Foundation.
special,” she said. “The challenge of the hills at mile 20 … crossing so much of Massachusetts, turning the corner on Boylston Street.”
For Ambwani, the journey from Hopkinton to Bolyston Street will be the equivalent of running from home to work.
A Ph.D. recipient, Ambwani is employed by Elucid, managing teams for AI and computer programs in the medical imaging realm.
To prepare for the race, Ambwani is following a strength and conditioning plan created for her by a coach at the Westborough gym Prototype.
She also has been gradually increasing the distances of her runs and enjoys training around Hopkinton, navigating the town’s hills and seeing other people out there on a similar path.
As the marathon date approaches, Ambwani said she feels a lot of excitement and few nerves.
“The Boston Marathon takes the top spot,” she noted. “I’m looking forward to hearing the cheering.”
Ambwani will be encouraged at the race by her husband and son, friends and work colleagues, the latter of whom will be at the finish line near her workplace.
ing from an injury.
Said Buonocore: “I have to use my village.”
After donating time to the SBNH for a decade, Buonocore is receiving support from others. Her “village” consists of her husband, mother, a local babysitter and countless friends. Their help allows her to complete arduous runs that can last up to four hours.
Buonocore recently hosted a fundraiser as part of her goal to raise $12,500 (givengain.com/project/lindsey-raisingfunds-for-south-boston-neighborhoodhouse-111321). She was amazed at the number of old and new friends who supported and encouraged her.
“There’s just been so many things that have just stopped me in my tracks and taken my breath away,” she said through tears. “These are real people that genuinely care, and I feel so lucky every day.”
In late March, Buonocore ran the course from Hopkinton as far as Heartbreak Hill in Newton. She described the joy she experienced as she recalled her past marathon experiences.
“I’ve only ever run Boston,” she said. “There’s no better feeling because it’s such a great course. The spectators are awesome.”
Added Buonocore: “It’s amazing that everyone knows about Marathon Monday and that the whole state basically shuts down for it.”
She especially appreciates the number of charity bibs awarded by the Boston Athletic Association, the Boston Marathon’s organizer. She said she would not have qualified for the race as a nonprofessional runner.
“Millions of dollars are raised every year to support all kinds of charities,” noted Buonocore. “And every runner — 30,000 or so of us — has a personal story behind why they’re doing it.”
By Nick Schofield Contributing Writer
D
elaney Mick is no stranger to running. But long distance is a relatively new aspect of the sport for her.
Mick, a recent graduate of Providence College, competed on the university’s Division 1 track and field team all four years of her undergraduate career. She previously starred for the Hopkinton High School track and field team.
“In high school, I did a lot of sprinting events, and when I was in college it was more mid-distance,” Mick explained. It wasn’t until moving on from college that she began to shift more toward long distance running and the possibility of completing a marathon.
The Boston Marathon is a bucket list item for the Hopkinton native. “The thought had drifted through my head a few times,” she said. Mick added that this time in her life, as she focuses on finishing graduate studies in school counseling, felt like the right time to take on the race.
The 26.2 mile course will be the longest distance Mick has ever run. “In training, I’ve never gone over 20 miles,” she said.
Still, she is up for the challenge, and she is using her first marathon run to raise funds for a cause she believes in.
Mick is running Boston this year to benefit the Ron Burton Training Village (RBTV). The nonprofit runs retreats and programs at its Hubbardston facility with the aim of training youth to “achieve their purpose” through a combination of education, leadership,
physical wellness, social advancement and spiritual growth.
“They host summer camps and programs for a lot of underprivileged kids that gives them opportunities to develop academically,” Mick explained, adding that the program works to help kids develop into “the best versions of themselves that they can [be].”
Mick said she fell in love with running in high school thanks to some
friends and what she called a “really great coaching staff.” A multisport athlete, Mick had been playing soccer in the fall one year and heard friends talking about their positive experiences on the cross country team at Hopkinton High School.
The conversation piqued her interest, and she decided to get involved with the school’s track and field teams.
“A couple seasons working with the coaches there, I fell in love with the sport,” Mick recalled. Her hard work paid off, leading her to a D1 track and field career with Providence College.
Preparing for a marathon is a far different experience than preparing for a track meet, and Mick said she has had a great time training. She noted that training keeps her busy, and navigating the time commitment with multiple part-time jobs has been a learning process. Along the way, she has prioritized staying hydrated and fueled while taking care of her body to limit potential injury.
“I think that my number one goal is just to get across the finish line — ideally pain-free,” Mick said when asked about an ideal finishing time.
Added Mick: “In an ideal world,
I do have a specific time goal, but I’m trying to keep my expectations realistic for the first one.”
Mick has done much of her training on her own, running parts of the course and getting used to hills by going on runs throughout Hopkinton. She noted she has run the first 17 miles of the Boston Marathon course and has made it all the way to Newton, although she had not tried Heartbreak Hill.
Mick said she enjoys the experience of solo running, noting it provides her a sort of relaxation.
“It’s a lot of time that you’re just kind of by yourself, but I’ve kind of learned to start to appreciate it,” she said, adding that the training process has had an impact on helping her learn about “how to be the best version of myself, physically and emotionally.”
It takes a village
Mick was tasked with raising $7,000 for RBTV — a goal she already has surpassed. As of early April, she had raised $7,634 for the charity (givengain. com/project/delaney-raising-funds-forron-burton-training-village-119624). She credited RBTV for its support throughout her fundraising process, as well as individuals in her community who provided her the time and space to raise the money.
“I think it’s been really fulfilling to see how many people there are who are supporting such great causes,” she said. RBTV (ronburtontrainingvillage. org) is a cause with which Mick has Mick | 15
By Chris Villani Contributing Writer
Ever since they were little, Alex Stenquist’s three daughters have visited their uncle’s house in Natick, right along Route 135, to watch the Boston Marathon. This year, the spot around mile 10 will be even more special, as their mom tackles the Boston course for the second time in her life and the first time since they were born.
“They have been watching the marathon since they were babies,” Stenquist said. “They have grown up cheering for people and having that experience, so I am going to be excited to see them.”
Stenquist is an experienced distance runner. This year marks her ninth marathon in total and her first since running the London Marathon in 2024. Her daughters, Hadleigh, 9, Miller, 7, and Quinn, 5, are pumped to see their mom run and were excited to hear that she had an interview scheduled with the local paper.
Alex Stenquist is running Boston as a fundraiser for Hopkinton Girls Youth Lacrosse after serving as an assistant coach in the program.
have been part of the program, and she has served as an assistant coach.
Stenquist said she had every reason to say yes when asked whether she would run for an organization that has been important to her family.
“They fully understand that I am not winning this thing,” Stenquist said with a chuckle. “But getting a chance to see me on the course and hug me on the course will hopefully inspire them to keep at it, too.”
Hadleigh, the oldest, already is asking her mom if she can join her and run a mile during the training leading up to the race. Running is something that has been in the family, Stenquist said.
“My dad was a runner, but he never forced it on us kids,” she said. “I would like for my kids to have a love for running. All you need to do is put on your sneakers and go.”
In addition to running for her children and her husband, Jared, Stenquist is tackling the course to benefit Hopkinton Girls Youth Lacrosse (givengain.com/project/alexandra-raisingfunds-for-hopkinton-girls-youth-lacrosse-114840). Two of her daughters
“Living in Hopkinton, the spirit of the marathon is kind of contagious,” she said. “I feel really fortunate that some of the organizations I am a part of are able to secure a bib.”
The fundraising, she added, is easier because of the strong support network in town.
“I have fundraised before for marathons, and it’s different when you are fundraising for yourself,” Stenquist said. “With youth lacrosse, you have the support from people in town you have never even met. That feels really special.”
She said folks considering running the marathon for a charity in town should not feel intimidated by the fundraising goal.
“You are supported by this community that you don’t even know existed,” Stenquist said. “You have so much backing behind you.”
personal experience. She recounted her own experience of attending one of the organization’s retreats when she was in middle school, and one of her brothers has attended the organization’s camps over the past 10 years.
She noted it was a cause she was happy to donate to and raise money for, although getting its charity bib was not a given.
Mick explained that her interest in running the Boston Marathon preceded her partnership with RBTV. “I reached out in late fall and said I had interest in running the marathon, and was wondering if they had any bibs available,” she said.
Because RBTV is a relatively small nonprofit, word on how many charity bibs it would receive was not available until February. “I essentially had to start training without knowing if I was actually run-
ning [for them] or not,” Mick recounted. Eventually, things worked out. The money she since has raised will support the organization and its programs focused on serving underprivileged youth. She noted that, besides its camps and retreats, RBTV also offers college sponsorships for its youth participants.
Come race day, Mick anticipates seeing her family and friends along the course as she goes. She said she is looking forward to being on the receiving end of all the positive energy she’s witnessed over the years attending the Boston Marathon from the sidelines.
“The thing I’m most excited about is just to experience the joy and support that I know that all of the fans are able to give,” said Mick. She added that the marathon is a difficult challenge, but she believes the experience will be worth it.
“The positives definitely outweigh any hesitations that I have,” she said.
By Sandy Quadros Bowles Contributing Writer
When Cailin Joyce moved to Hopkinton with her husband and daughter, they were drawn to the town’s highly ranked school system.
But something else about Hopkinton appealed to her.
It was the fact that their new hometown also serves as the start of the Boston Marathon.
For Joyce, an avid runner, the town’s affection for the marathon was a definite perk.
“I love how the town celebrates it like a holiday,” she said of Marathon
Monday. “We love living here and celebrating the marathon every year. I love the vibrant running community in Hopkinton.”
She belongs to two running clubs, Hopkinton Running Club and Moms Run This Town.
She has been a dedicated runner for years. She has completed 10 marathons in 20 years, including runs in Chicago, Cape Cod and San Francisco.
But she hasn’t run the Boston Marathon.
So she worked hard, with three years of focused training. The countless hours paid off in September when she ran a qualifying time of 3 hours, 35
minutes.
While she typically runs anywhere from 15-30 miles a week, during her peak marathon training, she ups that to 45 miles.
“Now my goal is to turn all that hard work into something good for the community” by running the marathon as a fundraiser for the Hopkinton Parent Teacher Organization (HPTO), she said.
Schools provide inspiration
This is her way of “paying it forward” to bolster an organization and school district that means so much to her family.
She describes herself as a “proud mom’’ to daughter Annabel, who is a second grader at Elmwood.
Through the Hopkinton schools, Annabel “has developed a joy of learning and love for her Hiller community,” Joyce said. “I’ve seen the same pride and confidence growing among her
friends and classmates.”
Joyce credits these uplifting experiences to the people “behind the magic.”
“We have seen so many examples of teachers, admins and staff going above and beyond for the growth and well-being of Hopkinton’s students,” she said. “It would be a real honor to partner with the HPTO to support all the amazing work they do.”
In appreciation, Joyce has developed a fundraising initiative called Miles That Matter. This reflects her appreciation for the “kind, capable and dedicated teachers at Marathon and Elmwood” schools.
Donors who contribute $50 to her campaign (hopkintonpto.membershiptoolkit.com/fundraiser/3292) are asked to provide the name of a teacher, staff member or administrator who “goes the extra mile to make our schools great.”
Those honored receive a Miles That Matter certificate, and their names will be incorporated into Joyce’s marathon apparel.
“The funds raised through Cailin’s efforts will directly support programs and experiences that enrich our students’ education across all five schools,” shared Dana Passante, co-president of the HPTO. “This kind of communitydriven support allows us to continue providing opportunities that go beyond the classroom, and we are so grateful for her dedication.”
Sarah Navin, the other HPTO copresident, echoed that enthusiasm.
“Cailin’s commitment to both the Boston Marathon and to supporting our schools is incredibly meaningful,” she said. “It takes a tremendous amount of time, energy and heart to train for a marathon, and the fact that she is channeling that effort into fundraising for our students makes it even more special. She is a wonderful role model for our community.”
Joyce plans to make the most of her marathon experience.
“It’s going to be a take a lot of selfies, kiss a lot of babies kind of day.”
By Sandy Quadros Bowles Contributing Writer
Heather Santucci plans to finish the Boston Marathon in seconds.
“I grew up with a dad who told me, You can do anything for 30 seconds,” she said.
So, one second at a time, she said, “I can do this for a couple of hours.”
Her father also provided a different sort of inspiration for her run.
He attempted the marathon years ago but had to “give up at the bottom of Heartbreak Hill.”
That disappointment lit a fire in his daughter. “My whole life it was like, I have to beat him. It’s always been on my bucket list.”
Although this will be her first time running the iconic race, she has witnessed the marathon “up close and personal.”
Living at the second mile of the route, every year she would watch the runners and think, “I can do that. This year I said, I can do that and I will do that.”
This will be her first full marathon. She has run 5Ks “just for fun,” 10Ks and two half-marathons, including one in November.
She ran the half-marathon in place of a friend who had become sick and was unable to compete.
About a week after she finished, she saw on Facebook that Project Just Because was looking for marathon participants to support the nonprofit based on South Street.
“They do amazing work for people in the community, and I am proud to be running on their behalf,” she said, setting a goal to raise $10,000 (gofund. me/2762d89e2).
Project Just Because (projectjustbecause.org) helps struggling families in their times of greatest need by supplying necessities such as clothing, food and school supplies.
The organization describes itself as being “dedicated to serving as many men, women and children as possible in a caring and dignified environment.
As a conduit between those who want to give and those in need, Project Just Because fosters a stronger, more empathetic community.”
PJB also helps people help others. “It is also our goal to educate families that want to help people but don’t know how,” the organization states in its description. “Our team can help generous families help others.”
PJB’s purpose touched Santucci’s heart.
Growing up in Leicester, she was taught that “your neighbors are your friends. You help people around you.”
At Project Just Because, “that’s what they do.”
The staff at PJB were warm and welcoming to her and her family when they visited the facility to learn more about their efforts. “They were like family,” Santucci said. “They gave my daughters hugs.”
Her daughters, Claire, 3, and Julia, 1, inspire her.
“I am so glad to have the opportunity to show my daughters what it means to work hard to achieve a goal,” she said. “And I am so grateful for all of our family and friends who will help me along the way.”
The support of her family, including her husband, Andrew, and her friends have kept her running. They have provided moral support and also helped her meet her fundraising goal.
Her supporters will be cheering her on at her home near the 2-mile mark.
“My hope is I can carry their energy through the rest of the race,” she said. She plans to rely on “that mile 2 energy in mile 24, when I know I’ll need it.”
Her future marathon plans are uncertain. “I keep telling my family, ask me on April 21,” she said with a laugh. “Either this will become a lifestyle or something to check off my bucket list. To be determined.”
Whether it’s her one-and-done marathon or the start of a long tradition, she does know her approach.
“I am here for a fun time, not a fast time,” she said. “So just get it on.”
By Nick Schofield Contributing Writer
Andrea Marguerite hopes her first marathon run can make a difference in the lives of those struggling with addiction and substance use disorders.
“If I can take that experience and turn it into something that helps even one person or one family, it’s just so much more meaningful to me,” she said.
Running the Boston Marathon brings together Marguerite’s history of growing up in Hopkinton and the personal losses that shaped her perspectives on the world. She will join the race this year to raise money for addiction treatment as she honors the memories of loved ones who lost their battles with addiction.
She explained that she lost both her uncle Reno and cousin David to addiction, along with a family friend named Vanessa she said was like a sister to her. Marguerite recalled learning of her uncle’s death when she was in sixth grade and of Vanessa’s the
following year.
“When you’re at that age, you don’t understand exactly what’s happening, and you just kind of wake up one morning and that person is no longer there,” Marguerite said.
Andrea Marguerite intends to honor her uncle, her cousin and a family friend who lost their battles with addiction as she runs to support the Herren Project this year.
In navigating the grief of those losses, Marguerite said she has found purpose.
“Losing them to addiction at such a young age really shaped how I see the world and made me really want to be part of something,” she said.
Marguerite’s marathon run this year will support the Herren Project, a Rhode Island-based nonprofit that provides free resources and support for substance abuse disorder treatment, recovery and prevention. The organization was founded by former professional basketball player Chris Herren.
The relationship between the Herren Project (herrenproject.org) and Marguerite dates back to 2023. While preparing to run the Falmouth Road Race, she had been searching for a charity that felt worth running for. “My first instinct was that I want to run for addiction and substance abuse treatment,” she explained. “They were the first organization that came up, and I just kind of stuck with that.”
Now, whenever Marguerite is applying for a charity bib, the Herren Project is her charity of choice. “That was my first and top organization [when] I applied for the Boston Marathon, and I’m very grateful that I got into it,” she added.
Hopkinton provides inspiration
Having grown up for the majority of her life in Hopkinton, Marguerite said seeing the marathon every year had a strong influence on her decision to run. And although she grew up an athlete, running entered her life more recently.
Marguerite was a four-year student athlete on the field hockey team at Babson College, from which she recently graduated with a masters in business analytics. Prior to that, she played field hockey in school outside of the Hopkinton Public Schools system and spent years playing town sports.
“That’s how I really built my connection to the community,” she said in regard to the town’s youth sports leagues. “It’s nice to feel like I’m a part of the town even though I didn’t go to school there.”
While running was a part of training for field hockey, she didn’t really engage with it as a sport until her father invited her to participate in a race. Her father, who runs a local construction company, was putting together a team of employees to run the Sharon Timlin Memorial 5K and asked her if she wanted to participate. That race ended up rolling into others.
“That turned into me doing the Boston 10K the next summer, which turned into the Falmouth Road Race, then to the Boston Half and now the Boston Marathon,” she said.
Having spent the last few years building up to Boston, Marguerite said her training for the race has been going well. She does have concerns over knee injuries sustained in her youth but noted she holds to a strict training schedule and keeps an eye on how her body is feeling.
Completing the race is the goal, but Marguerite admitted a natural competitiveness is driving her. She hopes to finish in around 4 hours and 15 minutes, which translates to a 9:47 pace. “I’m on track to do that, so that’s exciting,” she noted.
Most of her training has been solo, although she and her roommate — who also is running the Boston Marathon this year — run together from time to time. “I don’t mind running alone,” Marguerite said.
“I think those longer runs are a little bit more tough when you’re running on your own,” she added.
Marguerite, who lives in South Boston, said she already has previewed parts of the course. She noted some surprise
By Susan Gonsalves Contributing Writer
Marisa Cofone may not be playing her flute these days, but she looks back fondly on her experiences in the music programs at Hopkins Elementary School and Hopkinton Middle School.
“I didn’t continue playing, but I learned lessons from the great staff about how to appreciate music,” Cofone said. That knowledge carries over today when she attends a symphony performance or notices the music during movies.
To show her appreciation, Cofone is running the Boston Marathon on behalf of the Hopkinton Music Association (hopkintonmusic.com).
An engineer working 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Eli Lilly in Boston, she wakes up early to prepare for the event, often running around the Charles River and devoting herself to a healthy lifestyle, she said, which includes nutrition and exercise.
The rest of her regime includes strength training, cross training and physical therapy.
Although this will be the first time Cofone participates in the Boston Marathon, she completed a marathon in Wells, Maine, last year.
She is not feeling any nerves about what is ahead. “I know I can do it, so the stress is gone,” Cofone said.
Instead, she is feeling nothing but excitement about what she terms “a whole community day.”
“It is a big part of my childhood experience,” she noted, having lived the first 16 years of her life in town. “It’s when everyone comes together in Hopkinton.”
Cofone said that the charity aspect of the Boston Marathon makes it stand out to her, as well as the prospect of running in front of a huge number of
spectators.
Included in that crowd will be her parents, who are traveling from Florida to watch, her sister and brother-in-law and several friends.
Cofone turned mainly to family and friends for fundraising support, surpassing her $6,000 goal by midMarch (givengain.com/project/marisaraising-funds-for-hopkinton-musicassociation-115167)
Funds raised will be used for formal concert wear, scholarships for lessons and graduating seniors, music enrichment trips and the repair or purchase of school-owned musical instruments.
Now a resident of Boston, Cofone has been watching Boston Marathon runners cross the finish line for several years. She looks forward to being on the starting line this time on April 20 and giving back to an organization that has made an impact on her life.
when trying Heartbreak Hill in Newton. “You hear about it, but I didn’t realize that it’s like three or four hills in one,” she said.
‘No one survives without others investing in them’
Marguerite is tasked with raising $12,500 for the Herren Project this year. As of late March, she was just over $11,000 (givengain.com/project/ andrea-raising-funds-for-herren-project-111448). She anticipated a matching donation coming in that would help close the final gap.
The Herren Project has supported Marguerite’s efforts, and with the organization’s help she has put on fundraising events such as a yoga fundraiser and a raffle.
Marguerite provided a brief breakdown of how the donations she receives will benefit individuals who go to the Herren Project for help. A donation of $50 can help fund one of the organization’s “healing packages,” which include items intended to support individuals as they transition out of treatment settings.
On the high end, a $2,500 donation can cover the whole cost of a person’s recovery journey. The $11,000 she already raised can fund healing journeys for four people, she explained.
Other efforts funded by the money
Marguerite raises include family support groups and Herren Project clubs — the organization’s school peer networking program.
“The money can be used in all those ways,” she said.
Marguerite said her effort and the money she raises can make a big difference for those battling addiction. “It’s really about trying to create something positive out of something that is really difficult,” she said.
She also shared a quote she came up with that she believes captures what the Herren Project is all about. “If everything was about the individual self, then society would collapse because no one survives without others investing in them,” said Marguerite.
Among those planning to watch her race on Marathon Monday are her parents and her brother, Anthony. She also anticipates having other family members there to cheer her on, along with friends who live in the Boston area.
One moment Marguerite is looking forward to is running through Wellesley and past a section of the course where she and her friends from Babson used to watch the race every year.
“It’s one of those memories that, when I was standing there, I never thought I would be the one running by all those people now,” she said.
“I think that’s going to be a really
moment,” she added.
By Nick Schofield Contributing Writer
For Elizabeth Roche, running the Boston Marathon was a long-term aspiration that began when she was growing up in Hopkinton.
“From the early ages of the Kenyan runner day at Elmwood and being at the start line every year, those were really memorable to me,” Roche said of her earliest experiences with the marathon. Having grown up close to downtown, she recalled finding the runners inspirational.
“It was always just kind of a very sentimental experience for me,” she said.
The hometown sentiment, she explained, was what helped tip the scales when she decided to run the marathon for the first time. Roche added that it “felt like the right time” as her parents consider moving away from Hopkinton in the near future.
That love of hometown is on display this year as Roche runs to benefit the Hopkinton-based nonprofit Live4Evan. The organization (live4evan.org) helps
families of children with congenital heart disease find temporary housing in the Boston area while their child undergoes treatment. Evan Girardi, who the organization is named after, was a Hopkinton resident who died during his senior year of college as a result of congenital heart issues.
Roche said she was exposed to the nonprofit when she was growing up in the Hopkinton school system. “Live4Evan was really big when I was in high school,” she said, noting that Girardi had been a few years older than her eldest brother. Roche said the nonprofit’s presence in the school system formed a culture of “raising awareness of good causes and … looking after your community.”
Her memories of the nonprofit inspired her to reach out and apply for a charity bib. “I felt like it would be very mutually beneficial to kind of tackle that goal and also do something for a very good cause,” said Roche. She expressed
gratitude for the opportunity, acknowledging how selective the bib application process can be.
Despite a lot of strong feelings for the sport, Roche only recently began working toward the goal of completing a marathon. She described the goal as “lofty” and said she doesn’t consider herself a runner. But opportunities to try running last year set the pace for her first Boston Marathon run.
The Boston-based civil engineer said she helped a friend train for Boston last year by taking part in a halfmarathon in Philadelphia. She then was asked by a coworker to run another half-marathon last fall.
“It kind of got to the point where I was like, OK, I might as well build on this momentum,” Roche said.
Getting her charity bib for Live4Evan was one challenge, and training has been another. She shared being “pleasantly surprised” with the pace of her training but called out weather and time commitments as sticking points. Those hurdles haven’t slowed her down, though. “Just, like, bring it on,” she said. “Might as well make it gruel-
As for the toll the race may have on her body, Roche’s response was one of gratitude. “What a blessing it is to have a body that can carry me through this,” she said. “I should view it that way and not as an obligation or something I have
Timing also is not a concern for Roche. She stated that her goal is to finish the race and be present in the moment. “I don’t want to be struggling so much that I miss it,” she said.
Added Roche: “I’m not going to let time stop me from stopping and seeing family members who are cheering me
Roche did estimate she would finish an hour-and-a-half after her cousin and a coworker, who both qualified for the race this year. “It will be nice to have company the morning of,” she noted. Her support squad this year includes her parents and aunt and uncle, who will be at the start line. Meanwhile, she anticipates seeing her siblings and friends at the finish line, as well as coworkers scattered along the route. “It should be a good spread,” said Roche.
When asked for her feelings about the marathon route, Roche said she has gone out to practice Heartbreak Hill in Newton a few times, eliminating the mystery of that part of the course. “It will definitely be different doing it on the 20th mile,” she admitted.
She added that she is most excited about reaching the finish line on Boylston Street. “There’s so much sentimental value there,” said Roche.
Fundraising an ‘enlightening experience’
Roche is tasked with raising $12,000 for Live4Evan. As of March 31, she had raised just over $10,000 (fundraisers. hakuapp.com/elizabeth-roche). She said the organization has given her a lot of support with social media and swag to give away to donors. “Their team has just been wonderful and supportive,” said Roche.
By Chris Villani Contributing Writer
Keith Gilbreath has run a dozen marathons, including Boston, but when he takes to the starting line this April to run for Hopkinton Boys Youth Lacrosse, it’s going to feel like a bit of a comeback.
Gilbreath last ran Boston in 2023 before a bout with atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder. Following a treatment known as ablation, Gilbreath is symptom-free and ready to run again.
“I’ve been jokingly calling this my ‘couch-to-marathon’ program,” he said. “I was really out of shape and struggling to run a mile when I started back in November to train for this.”
By the end of March, Gilbreath had completed his 21-mile long run and trained through one of the worst winters in recent memory weather-wise. When he ran his first Boston Marathon in 2023, he had earned his place by qualifying the previous fall. This year, he said he has a different mindset.
“After all the years of trying for speed and finally qualifying, now I get to run it for charity,” he said. “It’s a cool thing because the race takes on a whole other meaning. You get to go around and high-five people and just enjoy the race.”
Instead of competing for time, Gilbreath said he is focused on his charity (hoplax.com/donate-to-keith) and helping a program that has meant a lot to his family. Both of his children, Lucy and Bennett, played youth lacrosse, and Gilbreath is a former high school and club lacrosse player.
“I have always been a huge fan of the sport and the community,” he said. “Lacrosse in general, the support, the discipline, the athleticism that goes into it, it’s both a mental and physical sport and it’s a really great community.”
Gilbreath first got hooked on run-
ning in his early 30s after his competitive soccer career came to an end. Needing an athletic outlet, he turned to triathlon training while living in Maryland in a community that is something of a hotbed for those events. He completed his first marathon in 2008 to prepare for an ironman triathlon in 2009. The latter year is also when he met his wife, Rachel, also a runner. Gilbreath said he did not have as much time for triathlons when the couple’s children and their dog, Cooper, entered the picture, but he stuck with running.
While he plans to simply enjoy the course and the day, Gilbreath did admit that he is hoping to beat his wife’s marathon time to secure some family bragging rights. But he’s mostly excited to return to the road and to racing in a huge event.
“I was away from it, and now I went from not even running to being back to the thing I love so much,” Gilbreath said. “The finish line will be very symbolic for me.”
She added that the experience has given her a new appreciation for the work people do to fundraise and support causes like the one she will be running for. “It’s been a really enlightening experience for me,” she said.
“Until you fundraise,” she continued, “you don’t have the appreciation for it, really. It’s great to see … the effect that people have on the local community and watch the way that spreads in the way it does.”
Added Roche: “This is all so much bigger than us.”
Regarding what she will take away from her marathon run, Roche was confident the effort will have a lasting impact. “I think it will definitely stick with me and help me to keep that spirit with me in being more thoughtful about how I can have that kind of impact on the community,” she said.
However, Roche admitted she was unsure whether marathoning would become a regular fixture in her life. “For me, it’s definitely a bucket list item,” she explained. “I couldn’t not do it, but I’m really happy it worked out at the time it did.”
“I’m very glad I got the chance to do it, but I think for me, it’s a one-anddone,” she concluded.
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Mark.Freeman@edwardjones.com
By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer
Kim Tucker Tremblay has two longtime passions — helping others and running. She blends them now by running the Boston Marathon in support of the Hopkinton Emergency Fund.
“I’ve always been into running,” she said. “I ran for the cross country team in high school, but I never considered myself a competitive runner.
“If I’m being 100% honest, I knew I wasn’t going to qualify for the marathon,” Tucker Tremblay added. “Being in Hopkinton and learning about the different local organizations, I was thinking of how I can be more a part of Hopkinton.”
The Hopkinton Emergency Fund (HEF) has provided nearly $100,000 in grants over the past five years to families who need short-term financial assistance to meet their basic needs during times of crisis, she noted.
Tucker Tremblay reached out to the nonprofit seeking a charity bib. She wanted to run on its behalf in recognition of how fortunate she and others in Hopkinton are to have support systems during emergencies, and she set a target goal of $9,000 (givengain.com/project/ kimberly-raising-funds-for-hopkinton-emergencyfund-115063).
“Hopkinton is known to be a well-off town,” she said “The Hopkinton Emergency Fund made me realize that even who people who seem like they have it all together still run into situations where they need support because they don’t have it.
“My husband and I are very fortunate to have parents and siblings who live close by,” continued Tucker Tremblay. “I realized how important this organization is because if we didn’t have that support, what would that have looked like?”
Tucker Tremblay and her husband moved to Hopkinton more than three years ago to start a family. Their daughter, Callie, is 1 1/2 years old. One reason why Tucker Tremblay is running this marathon is to set a positive example for her daughter.
“I know she won’t remember much of it this time,” she said, “but she does get really excited. I want to show her that you can push yourself to do hard things and that you can do anything you say you can do.”
Tucker Tremblay, a forensic psychologist, has worked with the state’s criminal justice system performing forensic evaluations for more than four years.
A native of New York’s Long Island, she moved to Boston in 2016 after completing her master’s degree in clinical psychology. She later earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from William James College in Newton.
To connect with others in the area, she joined a local running group called Boston Run & Chug.
“We’d meet every Wednesday at a different bar or brewery, go for a run and come back to all hang out,” she said. “The nice thing about the running group was that we were all transplants. We were all looking to meet new people, and we all had similar interests. Even though all of us have moved out of Boston, we’ve remained good friends.”
Members inspired her to run her first marathon in 2018. It became a goal on her “bucket list.”
“I was just under 30 years old,” she recalled. “Looking back, I was in my prime. I had done a bunch of half-marathons. I lived in South Boston, so I would run into the city and then circle back.”
That marathon, held in Martha’s Vineyard, was a bit of a letdown, Tucker Tremblay admitted.
“It was one of the first years that they did it, so it wasn’t a big race,” she explained. “There weren’t a lot of spectators.”
After that, Tucker Tremblay ran a marathon in Richmond, Virginia.
“This is what the hype of running a marathon is all about,” she shared. “I was feeling really good and had support all along the way from complete strangers.”
Tucker Tremblay discovered a support network of female runners in town via Hopkinton’s Moms Run This Town Facebook page.
“They are just a group of the most inspiring women,” she shared, adding: “This time around, things were a little bit different for me because it was my first marathon post-partum.”
She decided to run this year when group members complimented her on her running.
“I felt like I had one more left in me, and this is a good time in my life,” explained Tucker Tremblay. “But we’ll see if this is actually my last one.”
‘Important to show woman empowerment’
Tucker Tremblay said the Hopkinton Emergency Fund (hopkintonemergencyfund.org) is an important community resource that she hopes will gain more exposure.
“Being in the mental health field, I am very well aware of how quickly you can go from having what feels like everything and then having it taken away from under your feet,” she explained.
Tucker Tremblay noted that many people in town are relative newcomers. Others may not have family support. Since the pandemic, she said, people have told her they no longer know their neighbors.
Both the HEF and the women’s running group have inspired Tucker Tremblay and strengthened her community bond.
“This effort brings that camaraderie back,” she said. “We’re here for each other, we support each other, and we’re all neighbors.”
By sharing her story and information about the HEF, Tucker Tremblay hopes to raise awareness of and donations to the nonprofit.
“Plus people from out of town can see what the Hopkinton Emergency Fund’s mission is and maybe start something similar in their communities,” she added.
Balancing a full-time job, raising a young daughter, fundraising and sticking to a training schedule despite the harsh winter “hasn’t been easy,” according to Tucker Tremblay.
“It is like a second job,” she said. “But this is something that I’m doing for myself. Working through the grit is the biggest piece, and It’s very rewarding.”
The women’s running group has demonstrated the importance of mentorship, she added.
“Now more than ever, it’s important to show woman empowerment,” she stressed. “I think that’s what the whole Hopkinton moms running group is about. It’s electric to see the support going between those who are just starting out and others who run at super-fast paces.”
She added that, while she enjoys running alone, she can always find women to join her by posting in the group.
Tucker Tremblay also hoped her run would inspire others to pursue their personal goals enthusiastically.
“When I get excited or passionate about something, I can’t hide it,” she said. “I know what my why is for running this marathon, and to get someone else to feel it also is awesome.”
By Sandy Quadros Bowles Contributing Writer
Running the Boston Marathon takes a lot of heart.
Matt Prior understands that more than most.
A year ago, the Hopkinton resident faced “one of the toughest challenges of my life.” He was diagnosed with heart failure and myocarditis, which required an ablation procedure.
He spent two weeks recuperating at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester.
When he was released, running became a major factor in his recovery. That helped him make great strides in his improvement.
Running helped strengthen his heart, so “this doesn’t happen again.”
His first runs were carefully monitored to make sure his heart rate stayed in check.
The runs were also a bonding time with his family — his wife, Kristen, son, Juddy, 6, and daughter, Hadley, 4.
Every Saturday, Prior puts in a long run, with his family at his side as he starts. Kristen then drives the family to meet him at the end.
“That’s fun,” he said. “Hopefully it will make an impact on them in some way.”
He logs a range of lengths, depending on the proximity to the April 20 race date.
He runs about 40 miles a week. This amount tapers off as the race draws near. That way, he said, “On the day of the race you will be well-rested and ready
to do your best.”
The stormy February didn’t help his runs, he noted, adding, “Hopefully it will be nice April 20.”
He acknowledged that marathon prep was “a lot harder than I thought it would be.” With a chuckle, he added, “I still haven’t gotten the runner’s high.”
But what he has gotten is an appreciation for how much stronger he has become and how running has contributed to his healthy condition.
“One year later, I’m healthier than ever, and running was a key contributor,” he said. “I’m probably in the best shape of my life, and I played lacrosse
funds for
Marathon.
in college.”
Last fall, he was cleared to run the marathon, which he always has watched with enthusiasm.
When he lived in Boston, he would cheer on the runners at the finish line. Now he gets to cross the starting line not far from his home.
He described his hometown as special. Hopkinton is a “great community” with a “great school system. It makes sense why we live in town,” he said.
Running the marathon has long been a goal. “I always said I wanted to do it,” he said. “Now that I’m in good shape, I decided to do it.”
He is running to raise funds for Hopkinton Youth Football (hopyf.com), as his son played on a K-1 flag football team in the fall.
“I was inspired by the commitment, hard work and determination these kids showed,” he said. “I’ve seen firsthand how youth football builds grit, teamwork and resilience, qualities that prepare kids to tackle life’s obstacles head-on.”
He hopes his run sends a message.
“Running the Boston Marathon is more than a race for me,’’ he said. “It’s a chance to give back to a program that teaches kids lessons far beyond the field.”
Participating in youth football teaches players to “work hard, never quit and achieve something bigger together,’’ he said.
He has learned a similar lesson through his own medical journey.
“That experience taught me the power of perseverance and the importance of never giving up,” he said.
He hopes to share that with the players he is running for. “I want to show them that with determination and heart, anything is possible, even after life throws you a challenge,” he said.
He learned firsthand that “even when life just knocks you down,’’ you face the challenges and look toward the future.
You just keep on running.
By Nick Schofield Contributing Writer
Grant Van Ranst takes his Boston Marathon run on behalf of Hopkinton Youth Soccer seriously.
“I’m not going to ask great things from the players and from the coaches and our board if I’m not willing to put myself forward and risk some of myself to get us where we want to go,” he said.
This sense of purpose has driven Van Ranst as he prepares to run with the organization’s first charity bib. It’s an honor the stay-at-home dad earned following a conversation with HYS president Michelle Midkiff.
“I asked Michelle [about a marathon bib] and she said we’ve never had one,” Van Ranst explained.
He is tasked with raising $10,000 for the youth soccer organization (hopkintonsoccer.org). The money he raises will go toward funding scholarships, equipment, league fees and maintenance. It also will bolster the program’s overall infrastructure as the organization continues to grow.
As of March 28, Van Ranst had raised 67% of his target goal. (givengain.com/ project/grant-raising-funds-for-hopkintonyouth-soccer-115128)
HYS boasts a roster of 1,600 players. Van Ranst noted that many of the children in the program are first-generation athletes, and soccer is their first introduction to group athletics. He said that the organization is continuing to grow and credited Midkiff for her leadership.
“She takes care of some things before I even know to ask about them,” said Van Ranst, who also is involved with HYS as a
Grant Van Ranst is running to support Hopkinton Youth Soccer after the organization received its first Boston Marathon bib this year.
coach. “Michelle’s … building a wonderful infrastructure for us.”
Van Ranst’s enthusiasm for the program is not singular. He noted that, while he was the lucky recipient of the first HYS bib, there was significant interest from other volunteers and people involved with the soccer program.
“I hope we can have people going every year,” Van Ranst said about hopes to keep the charity bib program going for HYS.
Van Ranst’s evangelism for HYS and soccer in general come from his history with the sport. A native of Wayland, he
began playing after tagging along with a friend to a soccer practice. He continued to play in Wayland’s soccer programs throughout high school, eventually helping to contribute to his team’s state championship in 2001.
“We were good,” he recalled. “We always ran hard. … We weren’t always better, but we were harder because we chose to be.”
Bitten by the soccer bug, Van Ranst continued to play, eventually moving into a coaching role with HYS after his family moved to Hopkinton several years ago. His children now play, and he noted a discomfort over staying on the sidelines as they participate in youth soccer.
“I can’t stand to be on the sidelines and not contribute to the form of soccer,” he explained. “I don’t have the right to chirp from the sidelines if I’m not willing to volunteer to be a coach or assistant coach.”
Despite Van Ranst’s athletic background, training for the Boston Marathon has not come easy for him. “I’m not a runner,” he said. “It’s hard, it’s long, it’s brutal.”
Van Ranst recounted that he had begun running casually for about a year or so before the opportunity to race for HYS presented itself. He said he connected with two local runners, Alex Stenquist and Mark Agostinelli, who brought him into the fold and encouraged him to pick up running.
“Alex and Mark had kindly asked here and there if and when I would run the marathon,” he recalled.
He also stated that Hopkinton’s close relationship with marathon running was an influencing factor. “Here in Hopkinton, it’s the hills, it’s the community, and it’s the marathon,” he said. “It’s hard to have a reason not to do it.”
Van Ranst said his training has been going well, despite some knee issues. He reported dealing with some strain on his knee after his first 16-mile run but intends on being gentle with his body. With the help of his wife and ChatGPT, along with guidance from Agnostelli and Stenquist, he developed a program that he believes will prove effective.
He gave particular credit to Stenquist, who he noted is a “strong participant” of women’s running groups in Hopkinton. “Alex is my running Yoda,” Van Ranst mused.
As a stay-at-home dad, Van Ranst has had to navigate his training around raising his three children, a duty he relishes.
“I get to be with my kids all the time,” he said. “It can be a lot, but I know that it’s a fleeting commodity every day, so I try and treat it as such.”
Van Ranst took on his role as a stay-athome parent after realizing he didn’t have a passion for his previous line of work. He stated he and his wife, Krysta, enjoy the dynamic with her as the primary provider of income while he takes care of the kids.
“She’s amazing,” Van Ranst said. “She owns her own business and she grinds hard every day for herself and everyone around her.”
Krysta runs her learning and development consulting company from home, so both parents get plenty of time with their Van Ranst
By Chris Villani Contributing Writer
D
oug Sulser has been around the Boston Marathon for years. His father, wife and sister all have run the race. He grew up in Natick near the midpoint of the course and now lives in Hopkinton, just steps from where the race begins.
“It’s been a family affair,” Sulser said. “Now, living not too far from the start line, I have no real excuses.”
Adding to his desire to run was the chance to race money for the Demons Youth Hockey Association (givengain.com/project/doug-raisingfunds-for-demons-youth-hockey-association-114761). His son has been part of that program for the past four years.
“What better opportunity than to run for the Demons?” Sulser said. “The stars just aligned.”
This will be Sulser’s first official marathon, though he has run the distance during his time in the military and on runs. He completed his longest training run — 21 miles — before the end of March and said he is ready to go for Patriots’ Day.
“I am looking forward to the entire experience — the crowd from start to finish, starting in Hopkinton where I am raising my family and supporting the youth sports program, to my hometown halfway through, to the finish line in Boston, the city I have called home my whole life,” Sulser said.
He added: “Everyone I have talked to has told me to just enjoy every minute of the crowds.”
Sulser said he does not have any particular time goal in mind, although finishing in under four hours would be a good accomplishment. He is mostly looking to cross the finish line injury free, noting that he is slated to fly with his family for their first trip to Disney World the following day.
He is also thrilled to be supporting the Demons (demonsyouthhockey.org),
calling the organization a “wonderful youth sports program.”
“I was not a hockey player, but my wife comes from a hockey family and my son Henry wanted to learn to skate,” Sulser said. “I did Learn to Skate through the Demons, and that led to [Henry’s] introduction to hockey. The program has been the greatest. It’s very family and community oriented.”
Sulser said the Demons program has allowed his son and other youth hockey players the chance to meet and play with kids from nearby towns, some of whom they will see as they continue their ca reers into high school and beyond.
“They are teaching these young athletes great qualities, like being good teammates and working hard,” he said.
Sulser said he is not nervous for his marathon debut, in part because of his relatively easy logistics on that morning.
“I have it easier than a lot of folks, living 500 yards from the start line,” he said. “I just have to worry about waking up, walking to the start line and enjoy ing the day.”
Ranst | from page 24 children. “We’re both with the kids a lot, but it’s by design,” he noted.
Van Ranst added that this dynamic has allowed marathon training to become a “smooth addition” to their lives. He views his training as an outlet and a measure of how much he can work on himself.
As far as timing for the marathon goes, Van Ranst mostly is focused on completion. “You just prepare as much as you can and let the chips fall where they may,” he said.
He added, however, that he would love to complete the marathon in under four hours if his knee can hold up.
Fundraising features variety
For Van Ranst, fundraising is just another piece of what it takes to run the Boston Marathon. “I don’t mind,” he said. “I don’t like being ‘sell-y’ but at the same time, I have to make people aware.”
Already, Van Ranst has hosted a soccer hour at Forekicks in Marlborough and sold Super Bowl squares. According to his fundraising page, the soccer event raised around $1,000 while the squares
netted around $2,000. He hoped his last two fundraisers would push him over his $10,000 goal.
One of those fundraisers is a raffle for gift certificates and coupons from Hop kinton businesses. Van Ranst noted that the total value of the package is between $750-$1,000. His other major raffle fea tures a basketball signed by Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, one of the top players in the NBA.
The money Van Ranst raises will support the 1,600 children involved with HYS programs. And while he is eager to get on the course on Marathon Monday, he said the organization and its impact are his primary motivating factor.
“I’m more so running because I be lieve in the cause and I believe in town soccer,” said Van Ranst. He extolled the virtues of soccer as “the world’s sport” and stressed the importance of teaching children teamwork.
“I want to put our best foot forward for representing Hopkinton and what athletics should be at its core,” he said.
Added Van Ranst: “I run to try and provide the same experience, in many ways, that I had.”
By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer
Adam Zandonella and his wife moved to Hopkinton from Boston in 2016 to start their family. After his two oldest children had a positive experience at the MetroWest YMCA’s Outdoor Center in Hopkinton, he became motivated to run the Boston Marathon to support it.
“Over the past couple of years, we’ve slowly become more connected to the community as the kids have gotten older,” said Zandonella, noting his children are 8, 7 and 3 years old.
Zandonella confessed that he is not the prototypical marathon runner.
“My body type is not one for a runner,” Zandonella explained good-naturedly, noting that he is “built more like a football player.”
Although he does not describe himself as athletic, in school he played soccer, basketball and volleyball.
Said Zandonella: “It’s funny because back then, running used to be the punishment.”
“I’ve always loved the idea of running the Boston Marathon,” he continued. “It’s been on my bucket list. If you live in Hopkinton, it’s almost like you need to.”
He added: “It all starts here, so it all makes sense.”
While he has run a few half-marathons, Zandonella has been making huge strides in building confidence and endurance since beginning training in January.
“I’m not sure if my body will withstand continuous training past this marathon,” he added. “But I’m excited to be doing it for a great cause.”
Now the 39-year-old Connecticut native is motivated to run to support the organization that brings joy to his family (givengain.com/project/adam-raising-funds-for-metrowestymca-112044).
Zandonella first became introduced to the MetroWest YMCA’s leadership team through a networking group, where he met Ron Foisy. A Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce member, Foisy also serves on the town’s Zoning Advisory Committee and is a longtime Boston Marathon volunteer.
Foisy introduced Zandonella to Bartt Pinchuck, the executive director of the MetroWest YMCA’s Outdoor Center (metrowestymca.org/locations/outdoor-center), at a fundraising event. A couple of weeks later, Pinchuck asked Zandonella to join the community board.
“My kids had attended the camp there the summer before,” he explained. “It felt right just to be able to help and also just give back a little bit of my time in any way I can.”
He noted that the camp was a great way for children to connect with their peers.
“We need this today more than ever,” Zandonella said. “No electronics. Just building those bonds with other friends
and being outside is fantastic.”
His son “got hooked” at the sports camp, according to Zandonella, and begged to return the next summer. Now he is developing an interest in hockey.
In contrast, his daughter, who is “very artsy,” greatly enjoyed the arts and crafts activities with fellow students. One of her most memorable experiences was visiting a local farm where she could pet and feed horses.
“They really have a huge variety of programs that promote health, wellness and youth development,” he added.
Zandonella’s work as a financial advisor for New York Life Insurance Company gives him the flexibility to be able to pick up the children after school as well as to train. He earned a master’s in business administration from Boston University in 2019 after obtaining his undergraduate degree at Fairfield University, where he also met his wife.
He lived in Boston from 2010-16, making him very familiar with the route along Commonwealth Avenue.
Zandonella serves on the MetroWest YMCA’s Finance Committee. His accounting acumen led him to become a member of the Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce, taking on the role of treasurer.
“There’s an incredible level of support and accountability that has helped me a lot,” Zandonella said of his relationship with the MetroWest YMCA.
The MetroWest YMCA’s running team is connected through WhatsApp, he noted. Members have shared their progress, techniques and tips over the past few months, even recommending pain-relieving gels. Some of the members who have run the Boston Marathon described to Zandonella the exhilaration that motivates them to return year after year.
“The MetroWest YMCA has been great,” said Zandonella. “We also meet every two weeks on Zoom with the board. They encourage us and help us remember who we’re running for and why.”
Zandonella began with a 1-mile run in early January. He gradually increased his distance over several weeks to prepare for the 26.2-mile event.
“I’m really excited,” he said. “I always tell my friends I’m not running to win
By Chris Villani Contributing Writer
M
itch Riesenberger has run 13 Boston Marathons, part of a lengthy running career that began shortly after college when he found himself looking for a new challenge. The big day is a family affair for the Hopkinton resident, with his wife and children meeting him along the route. This year, his son, Drew, will join his father and make his marathon debut.
“I have been running for the American Liver Foundation team [givengain.com/champion/mitch-riesenberger-410233], and it’s really been a labor of love, and Drew and my whole family have been there on the course for all of these marathons,” Mitch said. “I wanted to give them an example of doing hard things and being able to challenge yourself. Secretly, I had hoped that somebody would join me.”
Still, Mitch said he was a little surprised that Drew decided to run the marathon this year amid a busy college life at the University of Tennessee. A former two-sport athlete at Hopkinton High School, Drew said the mental and physical challenge of running drew him to the sport.
“Running and endurance have been a niche for me because you can keep going as long as you don’t give in to what your brain is telling you,” he said. “I saw that through my dad, and a lot of the life lessons he taught to me growing up were along that theme.”
Drew will be running for Hopkinton Lit-
tle League (paypal.com/donate?campaign_ id=FTEZ75VCLCS5E). He has had the benefit of training in Knoxville, Tennessee, where there has been no snow on the ground as he runs a hilly route that takes him along the Tennessee River and past Neyland Stadium, the home of the university’s football team.
Mitch is helping his son get ready for the day by coaching him on Boston’s challenging course, which he has run scores of times between marathons and training runs.
“Boston is a lesson every time, but he is going to know a lot about the quick start and how much trouble it can cause everyone,” Mitch said. “The course is built to trick you into thinking you can run faster than you should.”
But Mitch said there is not much advice he needs to give his son about training hard for the event.
“He is a tremendous worker,” Mitch said.
The rest of the family — Drew’s mother, Jenn, and sisters, Alex and Kate — will be along the course, as always. Mitch said he and Drew will start together and probably stick together until they see the family in the middle of Ashland. After that, Drew likely will run ahead as Mitch acknowledged that he probably will not be able to keep pace with his 20-year-old son.
“It’s a sobering thought,” Mitch joked.
Drew said his goal is to break four hours, something Mitch has done just
once in his 13 Boston runs.
“Finishing sub-four hours would be something,” Drew said. “But just finishing Boston in general would be a dream come true.”
Mitch’s objectives are not based on time.
“My goal is to get there with a smile on my face,” he said.
Zandonella | from page 26
the race. I’d encourage people to do it, because it’s like, if I can do it, anyone can do it.”
Living near the Whitehall Reservoir, Zandonella said he has a picturesque training area steps from his home.
“I remember when I first moved here,” he recalled. “I did one lap around and thought it was a monumental achievement. Now, it’s a good day’s run.”
Another motivator is when students on the school bus cheer him on as they pass him, he added.
Added Zandonella: “They say, ‘Wow, you’re going so fast!’ But I think it’s actually the bus.”
The mental element of running has been incredibly impactful, he noted.
“You don’t believe how much you can do until you do it,” said Zandonella.
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