Many Wellesley-ites are registered to take part in the 2023 Boston Marathon on April 18. Some have qualified by posting fast times in previous races, while others are participating to raise funds for charities in Wellesley and beyond.
Here’s a form you can fill out if you’d like us to include your Boston Marathon profile (including a link to your fundraising site) on this page. Please, only those who either live in Wellesley, or who are taking part in the race for a Wellesley charity, should fill this out. We’ll try to get entries added to this page within a day or two of receiving them.
Runner: Tony Hurley
Charity & fundraising page: Pathway to Possible
Why you’re running for this cause: I am excited to be supporting a local organization with a compelling mission, to provide affordable housing and support services to our neighbors with cognitive and developmental disabilities.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? 4
Fun fact about your running: I’ve been running marathons (and ultra-marathons) since I was in high school. This will be my 5th Boston Marathon and my third time supporting Pathway to Possible.
Runner: Elease Anderson
Charity & fundraising page: Wellesley Theatre Project
Why you’re running for this cause: My brother works with the Wellesley Theatre Project. I love helping support my family in all their activities. Plus this allows me to run the Boston Marathon (been a dream of mine for years).
How many Boston Marathons have you run? 1 (when it was virtual)
Fun fact about your running:As a teacher, some of my training happens right after school. I do an out and back from my campus and I have many of my students (and their families) honking and yelling at me to encourage me. They always come back saying “Coach Anderson, we saw you running. Why?”
I get to share with them what it means to set a goal and train/work hard to accomplish that goal.
Runner: Vaani Kapoor
Charity & fundraising page: Sustainable Wellesley
Why you’re running for this cause: My passion for sustainability started in the 7th grade when I began hosting plastic cleanups around town. As the leader of the high school’s climate club, I have worked closely with Sustainable Wellesley and they have been a great source of inspiration for me to pursue environmental policy in college next year. I am eager to raise money for them so they can continue to inspire students like me to dedicate their time towards creating a more sustainable future.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? 0
Fun fact about your running: I eat m&ms while running, it helps me go faster!
Runner: Bradley M. Ritland
Charity & fundraising page: Wellesley War Memorial Scholarship Fund
Why you’re running for this cause: Honoring our veterans that have served in combat during our country’s wars is critically important for all citizens. I am proud to live in a town that built a permanent structure on town hall grounds that honors all Wellesley residents that served their country during WWI, WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War – it is one way to never forget them or the unbelievable sacrifices they made for all of us.
It is also important to support the next generation of Wellesley residents that are interested in serving in our military – the Wellesley War Memorial Scholarship Fund is one way to show that support. Considering the military recruitment challenges facing our nation now and the rising cost of education, it is imperative to continue to have programs and scholarships like these.
I sincerely thank you for consideration to support this cause with me!
How many Boston Marathons have you run? 0
Fun fact about your running: I’ve really enjoyed training for the marathon while running throughout our beautiful community – I often run along Brook Path (a lot) and along the marathon route for my longer runs.
Runner: Tony Rossi
Charity & fundraising page: The Julie Fund
Why you’re running for this cause:
In 2018 I was diagnosed with asthma. I never thought I could do much cardio – nevermind a marathon.
Fast forward to today – I’ve run dozen’s of 5Ks, 2 half marathons, and one full marathon.
I’ve stopped getting sinus infections, which used to happen monthly. I’ve stopped getting sick all the time. And I’m in the best shape and health I’ve ever been in.
I’m running for the Julie Fund because I care about health and wellness. I believe there’s so much talk about treating disease, but not enough talk about health maintenance and preventitave measures.
That said – it’s damn near impossible to avoid every toxin and harmful chemical out there. Cancer can still sneak up on even the healthiest of people.
If and when that happens? I want people to know that they can get support from the Julie Fund.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? 0
Fun fact about your running:
I suffered the worst injury of my life just three months prior to my first marathon in Chicago in the fall of 2022 – after getting hit in the face with a baseball.
I suffered multiple fractures, was scheduled for surgery, and was told I’d likely have to pull out of the race….
Much to everyone’s surprise – my healing went well. I cancelled my surgery. Hardly anyone can see a difference in my face.
And despite the most #notperfect training ever….I finished the Chicago Marathon last fall.
(Don’t ever let anyone tell you that there’s something hard you can’t do.)
Runner: Cassie (Short) McLaughlin
Charity & fundraising page: Wellesley Scholarship Foundation
Why you’re running for this cause: I have been an educator & coach within the WPS school district for the past 8 years and this is an organization that directly benefits the students I teach and coach.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? This will be my 5th Boston & 10th marathon total
Fun fact about your running: In high school I was a sprinter & found distance running in college.
Runner: Carrie Aronson
Charity & fundraising page: Wellesley ABC
Why you’re running for this cause: I am running the Boston Marathon in April to support Wellesley A Better Chance (ABC), an incredible program that provides access to education at Wellesley High School for talented young women from underserved areas. It’s been an honor to volunteer as the college advisor for the program the last few years — our scholars move away from home to live in a local house with a dorm parent to pursue their education and to plan for college. I’ve been so impressed with our ABC students and all their successes.
I’m thrilled to be running Boston (well, maybe not at the end of my long training runs), however it is even sweeter to be pounding the pavement for a cause so close to my heart.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? This is my first!
Fun fact about your running: My longest race before completing my first marathon (Providence last May) was a 10k almost 10 years ago.
Runner: Liz Cooper
Charity & fundraising page: MassBay Community College
Why you’re running for this cause: I am running to support student scholarships at MassBay Community College! I have always been inspired to run Boston, admiring the unwavering determination of runners from all walks of life, and the unmatched collaborative athletic spirit that brings people from around the globe to race or cheer on runners in this world-class event. As an employee of MassBay, I have witnessed this same type of determination and spirit in our students. MassBay students are industrious, dedicated individuals who often juggle full-time jobs along with their college studies. Some students are single parents supporting their children or are caretakers for their parents and grandparents, while others are struggling to make ends meet and are looking for a supportive stepping-stone. This scholarship will help alleviate some of the financial pressures they face in their pursuit of an education. Please join us, your local community college, in supporting our students.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? This is my first marathon!
Fun fact about your running: This time last year, I wasn’t running a mile. Now, I am running five times a week and in October I competed in my first half marathon in preparation for the Boston Marathon.
Runner: Christina Tai
Charity & fundraising page: Friends of Wellesley METCO, Inc.
Why you’re running for this cause: I am a reading specialist at Wellesley Middle School and I loved the idea of being able to combine my passion for running with my passion for education. Friends of Wellesley METCO, Inc. provides amazing support for our Boston Resident students as well helping to strengthen the community bond between Wellesley residents and Boston residents beyond their typical school day. I am very excited to be running in support of this non-profit to support their tutoring and scholarship programs, as well as, the FunFriday events at the Middle School and the Wellesley Theater partnership program for elementary students.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? I ran the virtual Boston Marathon in 2021. This will be my first time participating in-person.
Fun fact about your running: My first race was the Schofield 5k in 2017, which I ran with my son who was a 4th grade student at the time. This race sparked my interest in running and I ran my first marathon in the fall of 2018. Since then, I have run a handful of shorter distance races, a half-marathon in each New England state, and this marathon will be my third. My favorite thing about running is how it strengthens my growth mindset which helps me in all areas of my life.
Runner: Mark Bell
Charity & fundraising page: Community Investors
Why you’re running for this cause: I love helping kids
How many Boston Marathons have you run? 0
Fun fact about your running: I used To be over 300 lbs. Running and lifting has helped me transform my body.
Runner: Catherine Simpson Bueker
Charity & fundraising page: Friends of the Wellesley Free Library
Why you’re running for this cause: I have lived in Wellesley for more than 20 years and have always viewed the library as the heart of the community. Although reading is one of my favorite past times, the library offers so much more than that. Through my decades here, I have attended story hours, community meetings, lectures, and musical concerts. I also use the library as my “office away from the office.” One of the things that I really love about the library is that it is an institution that has changed with the times. The WFL now offers hundreds of hours of ESL classes to people from all over the world. This program is particularly near and dear to me as a Sociologist who teaches and writes about immigration.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? 0
Fun fact about your running: I didn’t start running until I was 40 years old. Like, at all.
Runner: Alex Baker
Charity & fundraising page: Wellesley Education Foundation
Why you’re running for this cause: My parents were both teachers and I jumped at the opportunity to support this great cause. Wellesley education foundation supports teacher grants for anything from classroom supplies to continued education.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? First time marathoner!
Fun fact about your running: My wife says I run like a T-Rex (Working on moving those arms more!)
Runner: Samuel Sanchez
Charity & fundraising page: World of Wellesley
Why you’re running for this cause: I am very excited to be running the 127th Boston Marathon for World of Wellesley and am asking for your help in fundraising for this incredible non-profit organization. Having moved to Wellesley Massachusetts not too long ago, I immediately found community amongst the many mission-driven individuals of World of Wellesley and its community members.
As a local non-profit, World of Wellesley remains committed to uplifting issues of social justice and to making Wellesley a more inclusive community. World of Wellesley has hosted numerous community discussions centering topics such as voting rights, anti-racism practice, and Native American history detailed from Indigenous perspective.
Additionally, World of Wellesley continues to promote and support the initiatives of many community organizations who share in the vision of a more inclusive community.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? 0
Fun fact about your running: I ran competitively in high school and college, and still very much enjoy running.
Runner: Michelle Hauck Shaw
Charity & fundraising page: Wellesley S.T.A.R.S. (Striving To Advance Recreational Services)
Why you’re running for this cause: My daughter Eleanor has neurological disabilities that make many town sports inaccessible. The activities—and social opportunities—are few and far between for kids with extensive special needs. To me, the largest challenge of parenting a special kiddo is finding opportunities for them to thrive in their community. Wellesley S.T.A.R.S. has an enormous impact on a small population that often goes overlooked in the community. Running along the course and fundraising in the community would bring awareness of the need for accessible athletics, connect families looking for adaptive swim, recruit volunteer coaches, and foster inclusion among our athletes on Boston’s biggest athletic day of the year. The funds I raise will allow us to purchase safety equipment tailored to the different disabilities in the group and create opportunities for our young swimmers. Special Olympics events are geared towards athletes 22 years of age and older although many of the members, including my daughter and her pals, are under 12. The funds would allow us to develop more activities for younger kids and help foster a community that will grow and provide opportunities in the decade before they mature into the Special Olympics demographic.
How many Boston Marathons have you done? 0
Fun fact about your running: This is my last race! I picked up a pesky autonomic nervous system disorder which makes it tricky to regulate my heart rate when I run hard… so Boston will be more of a slow jog celebration of my favorite past time, my favorite girl, and the importance of accessible sport. All people should be able to bask in the feelings of joy, accomplishment and camaraderie that running has brought me over the years.
Runner: Lauren Alverson
Charity & fundraising page: Team Brookline (Center for Mental Health)
Why you’re running for this cause: I am running to raise money and awareness for Team Brookline’s Center for Community Mental Health. I am dedicating this race to my lifelong friend Willy Sargent. He was a true adventurer at heart and a constant proponent of my many running endeavors.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? This will be my first!
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