Racing for impact
It鈥檚 no secret that Eagles everywhere love to give back, even if doing so requires months of training and a grueling 26.2 mile workout. This year, more than 60 Boston College students and 15 alumni have signed up to run the 128th Boston Marathon for charities of their choosing, raising thousands for life-changing organizations like Dana-Farber and Special Olympics Massachusetts. Read about their inspirations below, and cheer them on in whatever way works for you, whether it's a donation or a high-five at Mile 21.
Running for a cure
For sophomore Jack Griffin, running the Boston Marathon isn鈥檛 just about completing a race, "it鈥檚 about making a tangible difference in the lives of families facing the unimaginable challenges of cancer.鈥� He and 19 others are raising money for organizations like the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, IMPACT Melanoma, and The Family Reach Foundation, while dedicating their races to loved ones impacted by cancer and other diseases.
- Johnny Adams '17:聽
- Owen Anastas '25:聽
- Tyler Callahan '27:
- Colleen Carey '05:聽
- Brett Chase '06:聽
- Giovanni Culotta '26:
- Rhys Delaney '05:聽
- Michele McGovern Gilbert '89:聽
- Jack Griffin '26:聽
- Maureen Keegan '10:
- Ryan McCaffrey '09, JD'15:
- Paul McNamara '22:聽
- Hadley Middelton '24:聽
- Audrey Mitchell '24:聽
- Katy Morrison, M.A. '24:聽
- Olivia Pullin '24:聽
- Madison Rubino, Ph.D. candidate:聽
- Colleen Ryan '26:聽
- Lily Steele '24:聽
- Betsy Flynn Sullivan '85:聽
Owen Anastas
Jack Griffin
Hadley Middelton
Lily Steele
“My mom is 100% my inspiration for running to support Dana-Farber. Watching someone battle cancer with everything they have was incredibly inspiring and I felt like I needed to do something to give back. I know that she will be watching over me the entire race.”
Giving back to the community
Junior Grace Petrick and sophomore Anna Quinn are running on behalf of an organization near and dear to their hearts: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e given me a community of Littles and BC students that I am so grateful for,鈥� said Petrick of the mentoring program, which has a Boston College chapter. 鈥淚 love running around with my Little every week鈥攕he keeps me active whether we鈥檙e playing basketball, soccer, or tag.鈥澛�
- Michael Birschbach MBA'26:聽
- Matthew Contaldi '18:聽
- Caroline Driscoll '27:聽
- Zade Hirsch '27:聽
- Hailey Pataki '26:聽
- Ike Pawsat '26:聽
- Grace Petrick '25:聽
- Anna Quinn '26:聽
- James Redding '27:聽
- Dawn Schottlandt '98:聽
- Brooke Schwab '22:聽
Zade Hirsch
Ike Pawsat
Grace Petrick
Anna Quinn
Favorite song on your running playlist?
'No Surrender' by Bruce Springsteen.
Supporting inclusive athletics
Sophomore Nicholas Stec was initially drawn to the Sportsmen's Tennis & Enrichment Center because of its acronym (it matches his last name!) but after reading about its mission, he was hooked. He's already surpassed his $7,500 fundraising goal for the afterschool program, which provides free and low-cost tennis lessons, academics, and life skills programming to underserved Boston youth. 鈥淎s a lifelong tennis player, I know how many important lessons you can learn about yourself and about life on the court,鈥� Stec said.
- Brendan Armstrong '24:聽
- Alfred Barney '22:聽
- Patrick Conroy '25:聽
- Megan Fitzgerald '12:聽
- Tia Guay '26:聽
- Nicholas Stec '26:聽
- Madeline Sullivan '23, M.A. '25:
- Chris Tanaka '97:聽
- Brody Whetzel '26:聽
Brendan Armstrong
Tia Guay
Madeline Sullivan
Nicholas Stec
What will be going through your mind at Mile 21?
“Gratitude. For the opportunity to run the best race in the world for the best cause in the world, for everyone who supported me on my journey (especially my family), and for the amazing school I get to call my home away from home. ”
Extending a helping hand
Senior Annabelle Beaton had personal reasons for selecting the Brigham and Women's Hospital Stepping Strong Center for her charity. As the daughter, granddaughter, and niece of veterans who has also lost a loved one to suicide, Beaton is familiar with the complex physical and emotional effects of trauma. "The Stepping Strong Center represents strength, courage, resilience, compassion, and hope for trauma survivors," she said. "I am so proud to run in honor and memory of those who cannot."
- Annabelle Beaton '24:聽
- Chloe Don '24:聽
- Elizabeth Freeman '26:聽
Annabelle Beaton
Chloe Don
Elizabeth Freeman
“Haley House was my BC PULSE placement my sophomore year. It helped to orient me to a life of service for others and has radically changed the lives of so many.”
Raising autism awareness
When senior Emilia Boggs joined the Flutie Foundation鈥檚 marathon team, she thought her only BC connection would be the football legend himself. But at a team event in Southie, she met a member of the foundation who has autism and happens to work at BC鈥檚 popular Hillside Cafe. 鈥淚t is incredible to see what he has accomplished through the Flutie Foundation,鈥� said Boggs. 鈥淲e get lunch once a week after his shift and I could not be more grateful for our new friendship.鈥�
- Emilia Boggs聽'24:聽
- Ella Weaver '24:聽
Emilia Boggs
Ella Weaver
“I am incredibly excited to be running for an amazing foundation that uplifts the community affected by autism and has strong connections with BC! ”