Many Wellesley-ites are registered to take part in the 2024 Boston Marathon on April 15. 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: Caitlin McNulty
Charity & fundraising page: Elizabeth Seton Residence
Why you’re running for this cause: ESR is an amazing facility that my mother worked for for years!
How many Boston Marathons have you run? This is my first.
Fun fact about your running: I ran my first half in 2022! Since then I’ve run three half marathons and this will be my second full.
Runner: Ashley Powers
Charity & fundraising page: Wellesley Friendly Aid
Why you’re running for this cause: I am running for Wellesley Friendly Aid, because it is extremely necessary to ensure all community members, especially those in need are able to participate in programs and are fed on the holidays. This specific funding will provide holiday groceries for Wellesley residents in need. It is my honor and privilege to run for an organization that is considerate to the needs of others!
How many Boston Marathons have you run? 10
Fun fact about your running: I have had the opportunity to train for the past 10 consecutive years and look forward to running thru Wellesley
Runner: Owen O’Connor
Charity & fundraising page: Boston Children’s Hospital
Why you’re running for this cause: I will be running the Boston Marathon to support Boston Children’s Hospital in memory of my childhood friend, Harry Clark, who passed away three years ago. For those of you who grew up in Wellesley with us, I hope you will join me in honoring our brave and inspiring friend who battled cancer from a young age. For those who didn’t know Harry, I hope you will join me in supporting Children’s Hospital where Harry spent so much of his time, bravely battling a rare brain tumor, to contribute to the amazing doctors and nurses who have dedicated their lives to sick children.
Harry loved sports and baseball, he was a true diehard Red Sox fan, which is how we really bonded. Although he was limited physically, he was always a huge contributor to our Little League teams, and always an inspiration. One year, he sold the most pancake breakfast tickets, a fundraiser for the Rotary Club, and so our team won an ice cream party, we got to carry the Little League banner in the town parade and were featured in the local newspaper. That was a big deal back then.
I have always wanted to run the Boston Marathon, since Wellesley is the halfway point, and I have been cheering on runners my whole life. In thinking about which organization would be most meaningful to run for, I reached out to Harry’s parents, and they suggested Children’s Hospital. Children’s is ranked Number One for Neurology and Neurosurgery and their expertise played a big part in Harry’s quality of life, and enabled him to fight his courageous fight.
Also, I suspect that like myself, many of you have been treated, or know someone who has been treated at Boston Children’s Hospital. My pediatrician is part of Children’s, and a back specialist whom I saw in high school was also at the hospital, so it means a lot to me to be able to support my doctors.
Every dollar raised funds the very best medical care, breakthrough research, and vital support services for sick kids and their families.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? None! This is my time running a marathon. I did the 2022 Boston Marathon Tough Ruck for the Fallen, which is 26.2 miles wearing a 35 lbs backpack.
Fun fact about your running: The longest I ever ran in high school was 1 mile. I started running when I joined Army ROTC at Harvard.
Runner: Lauren Alverson
Charity & fundraising page: Team Brookline
Why you’re running for this cause: I am running for Team Brookline in honor of a late friend and to raise awareness for mental health. By contributing to this project, you directly impact the lives of those seeking support.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? This will be my second.
Fun fact about your running: I once spent a winter training for a 20-mile snowshoe marathon at 11,380 feet in Leadville, CO. When I finally finished after more than 6 hours, I was told my snowshoes did not meet the official size requirement, so my name was disqualified from the list of finishers. I didn’t care though; I was so cold and tired I was just happy to be done. I had a bowl of soup and drove four hours home through a snowstorm.
Runner: Brooke Guiffre
Charity & fundraising page: Boston Children’s Museum
Why you’re running for this cause: The Boston Children’s Museum helps develop the minds of the next generation and provides enriching learning opportunities for kids. I used to love visiting the museum as a kid and I’m excited to help more kids make these fun memories.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? None – this is my first marathon.
Fun fact about your running: I ran my first half marathon in November and it did not go well at all (threw up multiple times). A week later I made the questionable decision to sign up for the marathon and I’m very glad I did!
Runner: Glen Magpiong
Charity & fundraising page: Wellesley ABC
Why you’re running for this cause: I have an opportunity to give back and support a wonderful local program that has opened doors to greater educational opportunities for academically talented and promising young women of color. It is an important part of the Wellesley High School community, of which I have been blessed to be a part of for the past 20 years.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? My only live Boston Marathon was in 2001. I ran it virtually in 2020.
Fun fact about your running: I have been running races since 1983. I would say that the majority of the times I have run marathons, I have run them for the “L” of it. I do them to CompLete and not Compete. When I ran Boston in 2001, I lived in California. I didn’t know anything about Wellesley. 2 years later I basically lived on the course. I’ve always wanted to someday run this race again through my new hometown.
Runner: Julie Moore
Charity & fundraising page: Wellesley Conservation Land Trust
Why you’re running for this cause: I am raising money for the Wellesley Conservation Land Trust, an organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the natural beauty of our wonderful community. By donating to this project, we can ensure that future generations can enjoy our local trails, forests, and wildlife. Your contribution will go towards acquiring and maintaining land, as well as implementing conservation efforts to safeguard our environment. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the conservation of Wellesley’s natural heritage.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? 27
Fun fact about your running: I have a new training partner this year—my newly-adopted 2-year-old Golden Retriever named Summit. He has accompanied me on all of my runs. The longer the better, he says. He loves his 20 milers along the marathon course — he crushes the Newton Hills and had made many friends along the way.
Runner: Valerie Collins
Charity & fundraising page: Wellesley Food Pantry
Why you’re running for this cause: Running Boston has always been my dream, and I’m glad my miles are supporting something greater: providing meals to 420+ residents in my own hometown. As a medical student, I know that balanced, nutritious meals are the foundation of a person’s health. With your donation, the Wellesley Food Pantry can provide fresh protein and produce, non-perishable goods, and household items to those in need.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? This is my first Boston Marathon, though will be my third marathon overall. My PR is 3.27:54 in last April’s Jim Thorpe Marathon.
Fun fact about your running: I ran cross country and track for Wellesley High School. This is my second BAA event, as I ran the 2016 BAA Scholastic Girls Mile, placing 4th and along with teammate Eve Driver in 3rd, our team won the girls’ title.
Runner: Angel Blaise
Charity & fundraising page: Community Investors
Why you’re running for this cause: I’d like to give back to the kids in a community that helped raise me.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? This is my first!
Fun fact about your running: This is my fourth race ever and my third marathon!
Runner: Melissa Martin
Charity & fundraising page: Wellesley Education Foundation
Why you’re running for this cause: I believe strongly in public education, and my four children have attended the Wellesley Public Schools. I have seen the incredible impact of the Wellesley Education Foundation through its partnership with the educators in the district. After serving on the School Committee for two terms, I am thrilled to leverage my hobby to support a cause so near and dear to my heart.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? None yet! This will be my first!
Fun fact about your running: I ran my first ever 5K in 2012, was completely hooked, and then trained up to run my first marathon seven months later. I find running to be empowering and have developed some incredible friendships while logging the miles. I encourage anyone interested in trying it out to find a beginner training plan and give it try.
Runner: Tatiana Chinitz
Charity & fundraising page: Sustainable Wellesley
Why you’re running for this cause: I am running for Sustainable Wellesley! I have been invested in conservation and sustainability for years, ever since I started volunteering at the New England Aquarium in high school. Our planet is so precious, and we need to take care of it! I am so excited to be supporting such a great organization doing groundbreaking work on this front at the local level. Sustainable Wellesley is a local, all volunteer nonprofit that engages residents, businesses and the Town of Wellesley to take sustainable actions to protect our climate; reduce pollution of air, land and water; preserve biodiversity; minimize waste; and ensure environmental justice. When the opportunity to combine my love of running and my passion for sustainability (at the Boston Marathon no less, my favorite day of the year!) I was over the moon! Can’t wait for marathon Monday, and thank you for your support!
How many Boston Marathons have you run? This will be my first!
Fun fact about your running: This will be second marathon ever, and second in less than one year! Running a marathon (or any distance) will show you that you can do things you never even dreamed of, and teach you so much self love. I highly recommend!
Runner: Sara Sullivan
Charity & fundraising page: Wellesley Scholarship Foundation
Why you’re running for this cause: I’m running for our students to have more opportunities.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? 0
Fun fact about your running: My favorite places to run are down the Cape in Dennis and all around Boston!
Runner: Jennifer Poulos-Gopen
Charity & fundraising page: Wellesley Theatre Project
Why you’re running for this cause: I am running to support our local arts/theatre group, Wellesley Theatre Project (WTP) where my daughter and many others are welcomed like Family and learn life skills such as compassion, inclusiveness, and being good citizens while working hard on building their singing/acting/theatre passions. Than kYou for supporting WTP performing art community through this run.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? I qualified and ran in 3 Boston Marathons (2001,2003,2004)) and one New York Marathon (2004)
Fun fact about your running: My last marathon was 20 years ago (before kids!) exciting for them to see their mom train for this goal. Although 20+years ago, in 2003 ran a personal best of 3:10:36, This year fundraising, consistent training, finishing the race (at any pace:-) are goals
Runner: Susan Godfrey
Charity & fundraising page: Wellesley Council on Aging
Why you’re running for this cause: This year I will be running to raise money for the Wellesley Council on Aging. The Wellesley Council on Aging is a wonderful organization that supports local seniors with programs and services that promote learning, physical and mental health and wellness, and continued opportunities for social contact and connections. As a nurse practitioner that works with seniors I know what a huge impact these programs can have and am proud to be running for such an important cause.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? This will be my 3rd!
Fun fact about your running: I ran my first marathon over 20 years ago and am so exited to be doing another marathon!
Runner: Nezha Mediouni Bower
Charity & fundraising page: Wellesley Community Children’s Center (WCCC)
Why you’re running for this cause: WCCC is a program that broadly benefits the Wellesley community through their early childhood and after school programs. My son is one of many students who has benefited through their nurturing engagement, and I am proud to run in support of WCCC.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? This is my first!!!
Fun fact about your running: I am originally from Casablanca, Morocco and love warm weather; training throughout the winter is a big challenge, so I find myself on the uncompromising treadmill far too often!
Runner: Jessica Bredin
Charity & fundraising page: The Julie Fund
Why you’re running for this cause: I’ve always dreamed of running the Boston Marathon! When I received the news that I would have to opportunity to run the Boston Marathon for the Julie Fund for women’s cancers I was over the moon. Getting to represent such an amazing foundation is truly an honor. The Julie Fund provides education, research, and patient support. They are the single largest contributor to ovarian cancer research at Mass General Hospital.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? This will be my first marathon. I am extremely excited for this opportunity!
Fun fact about your running: The Boston Marathon used to start in my town! I would go every single year with my friends and never thought I would have to opportunity to participate. It is a crazy feeling incorporating some of the route on my runs.
Runner: Carolyn Livingstone
Charity & fundraising page: Wellesley Scholarship Foundation
Why you’re running for this cause: I am running to support education & supporting students who are interested in serving in the military are near and dear to my heart! I am a Hunnewell kindergarten teacher and a granddaughter to 2 military veterans! Raising money for these students is very important to me!
How many Boston Marathons have you run? 16 last Saturday- Hunnewell to heartbreak hill!
Fun fact about your running: I have always loved running and have been doing different road races since high school! It has always been a goal of mine to run the Boston Marathon. My grandfather was also a long distance runner and it is an honor to be raising money for students interested in entering the military- something he was always passionate about!
Runner: Chrissy Daddario
Charity & fundraising page: MGH -Pediatric Cancer
Why you’re running for this cause: I have witnessed first hand the terrible effects of a cancer diagnosis and the grueling road of treatment to recovery. I will be running in honor of my friend Tara, a Wellesley mom, who fiercely fought and beat stage 3 rectal cancer through the world class support and treatment she received from the incredible team at MGH!
How many Boston Marathons have you run? This will be my first Boston Marathon! Having lived in Wellesley most of my life, to run the Boston Marathon is something I have always wanted to do.
Fun fact about your running: In May 2020, my friend Tara and I ran 100 miles. It was the middle of Covid and most everything was shut down but outdoor running was always a fun and competitive opportunity!
Runner: Thomas Weiss
Charity & fundraising page: Friends of Wellesley Free Libraries
Why you’re running for this cause: Growing up in Wellesley, I know how important and unique the Wellesley Free Libraries are. The libraries play a vital role in our community, providing resources and opportunities for learning, entertainment, and connection. With your help, we can ensure that these libraries continue to thrive and serve our community’s needs.
How many Boston Marathons have you run? 0
Fun fact about your running: I was part of the 2016 Wellesley High School Cross Country state championship team!
