Sue Sheldon Quimby - Georgetown/Danvers/Middleton
I do better running shorter distances, so for marathons I have only run Boston. I run Boston because it is arguably the greatest marathon in the world when you consider the fanfare and the rich history.
Paul is running in the Boston Marathon to raise money for Dana Farber in memory of his friend Kerry Xenos who passed away from cancer in 2007. He and Xenos used to run together and went through a difficult time together. He is also running for a cousin who has four kids and is going through treatment at Dana Farber.
I run marathons, because they are the ultimate competition for runners, and because I want to push the limits and test my levels of endurance.
Blaire Bernard, 34, began running for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in her first marathon in 2002. However, her husband was later diagnosed with a chronic form of leukemia, which he has been able to fight with daily medications. That has helped her make the decision to return to the marathon in the name of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Amy Dolan never ran competitively until college. Today, she is still hooked.
Dolan is a regular in marathons, and this month the Wenham resident is taking on Boston once again. When she is not juggling life as a mother of four, Dolan hits the streets to train for competitive running and just to get a "mental health" break."My husband tells me to go for a run if he can tell I'm cranky," Dolan said.
When Meghan McDonough compete's in this year's Boston Marathon, she'll be running for a reason. The former Medford High track star is a member of the Dana Farber team, and will run as a tribute to her father, Stephen McDonough, a cancer survivor who just turned 60. "I'm ready," she said. "The hills are not going to get to me this year. I'm just looking forward to another gorgeous day like last year."
John Hunt runs with the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge, a group that is headed up by 1976 Marathon champion Jack Fultz. He is participating in his sixth marathon in 2009.
Unlike most marathons, the Boston Marathon has a charitable twist that allows you to give back in ways that most people can’t. I’m running the marathon for Brigham and Women’s Hospital — their community health and education programs raise money for a great cause. It’s nice to know that people will be affected in a positive way.
Peter Perkins, 68, enjoys running with his younger daughter Tamara Aghoian (also running this year's Marathon), and also enjoys running with the No Name Athletic Club Petards. Perkins is the former and (first full-time) Fire Dept. Chief of Boxford.
Tom Licciardello - North Andover
After 33 years, I rely a little bit more than I should on ‘muscle memory,’ but I have a very comprehensive program that incorporates running, strength training, cycling and swimming — and occasionally sleep.
Richard & Tonya Rockett - Marblehead
I ran one full marathon when I was 25; it was something to check off on my life’s ‘to do’ list. More than 10 years later, I’m running the marathon to raise money for the Children’s hospital. It’s a fun challenge, and all for a great cause. (Tonya)
This is my first full marathon. I ran five half-marathons, and decided to do a full [marathon] for the first time. Since I was 25, I have always said I wanted to run a marathon, and I finally realized, at 43, my time is running out. A friend [of mine], Danny Santenello, who has run for the Mass. General Hospital the past nine years convinced me to run, and I asked my wife to join me. (Richard)
I’ve been running for 30 years and it’s always in the back of every runners mind to eventually move up there. You can run shorter distances, but I think a lot of people would like to try [Boston] because it is so challenging and it is. Boston is the oldest and most prestigious.
Stacy and her husband have always been runners and her husband wanted to run a marathon by his 40th birthday. They accomplished that goal last year running in the Disney Marathon and the Boston Marathon raising a ton of money along the way. They had so much fun they decided to do it again this year.
"I've always like longer distance. I think I enjoy training more than the marathon. The day-to-day, week-to-week, that building up. Especially in Boston, training in the winter, you have to suck it up and get out there and run. I might complain every now and then, but I like it."