Bringing Cushing Students into the Effort For more than half the years he has run, when Troy crossed the finish line, he has been met by the smiling faces of Cushing students. He set up a partnership to give students the opportunity to get involved in both the charity and the human drama of the marathon, serving as runner guides for those who, like him, are raising money for Dana-Farber. The students greet the exhausted racers from around the world at a vulnerable moment, draping a silver warming blanket around their shoulders and making sure they are in shape to walk the halfdozen or so blocks to the hotel where runners reunite with their families. “They just feel so well cared for because of the Cushing students,” says Jan Ross, Dana-Farber’s former assistant vice president for running programs. She and Troy estimate that between 700 and 800 Cushing students have served in this role over nearly 20 years. Kelly Yardley, assistant director for running programs, does the hands-on work with the students. Runners often comment on how much they appreciate the Cushing ambassadors. “They take the job seriously,” she says. “That means that we’re really able to rely on
the students and their positivity and their genuine care for the runners.” Even in retirement and no longer on campus daily, Troy is heartened to see the tradition continue. “I think there were about 25 or 30 kids that went in again this year,” he said. “Even though I’m not directly affiliated with the school, Dr. Bertin still allowed them to come in. To see them at the finish line, was a really nice thing. I hope that tradition continues.”
A Quarter Century of Memories — and Counting Troy has tons of race recollections. He has run in pouring rain with his son Brian ’10 (2016), in 90-degree heat (2012), and with Cushing colleague Aaron Santos ’06 (2018 and 2023). “To run with someone who was both a former Cushing student and a colleague was kind of fun,” Troy says. He especially looks forward to seeing Courtney Sheary ’06 each year in her usual viewing spot at mile 20 right at the top of the hill next to Boston College. In 2013, Troy was at mile 25 when terrorists set off two bombs near the finish line. A phalanx of police stopped the runners and told them the race had ended. He wound his way through the streets, eventually serendipitously
running into both his wife Sue and his son, even without cell coverage to help. The 2014 marathon was memorable because everyone was so positive and motivated to get back to normalcy. “I actually ran one of my better times that year,” Troy says. (His best time was 3 hours and 41 minutes; most years he runs it in around four hours.)
A Life Still in Motion Though officially retired from Cushing as of the fall of 2024, Troy has hardly slowed down. After moving to Ogunquit, Maine, he quickly found himself working at the local golf course, and then took on an assistant coaching role at nearby Berwick Academy. “I think I may have had three days off in a row since July,” he said with a laugh. “But nothing more than that.” Despite the schedule, he still finds time to train — and yes, he confirms, “Maine is actually a little flatter than Ashburnham.” Troy says he misses Cushing every day, stays in close contact with colleagues, and looks forward to events like Alumni Weekend and the annual golf tournament. For now, he’s focused on the next goal. “Getting to 30 marathons is going to take staying healthy,” Troy says. “But I want to do it.”
Ryan Bourque ’09, Dan Fontas ’98, P’27, Bill Troy, Axel Favreau ’26
WINTER 2026
33