They come from not only across the country, but around the world, all with their own motivation for facing a gargantuan task.
For some, it’s a competition. For others, the long jaunt into the capital of the commonwealth has a personal reason.
When 30,000 or so runners depart Hopkinton heading toward Boylston Street in Boston on Monday, some may be your neighbors. Each will have a story or a driving force for running 26.2 miles.
Among the dozens of runners with area ties taking to the streets is St. Bernard’s graduate Shelagh Fluharty. A former standout in field hockey and lacrosse for the Bernardians, Fluharty played both collegiately at St. Michael’s College and will run the 130th Boston Marathon for the Joe Andruzzi Foundation (JAF).
Now a senior associate scientist focused on cander researcher at Boston-area biotech company Parabilis Medicines, the opportunity to work with the JAF and run in the Boston Marathon was too good to pass up.
“I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be running the 130th Boston Marathon in support of the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, an incredible organization that provides financial and emotional assistance to New England cancer patients and their families,” Fluharty wrote on her fundraising page. “As a cancer researcher, my day-to-day work focuses on the biology behind potential new therapies that could help patients years down the road, but I know that many individuals and families need help now. Supporting the Joe Andruzzi Foundation allows me to help make an immediate impact on those experiencing financial burdens from battling cancer.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with JAF before and have seen firsthand the immediate and meaningful difference they make for patients and their families. Every mile I run and every dollar raised goes toward providing that crucial support while we continue working toward better treatments and potential cures.”
The 26-year-old Fluharty, a member of the St. Bernard’s class of 2017, played collegiate lacrosse at St. Michael’s for a season, while starring in four years on the field hockey team. A captain in field hockey during her senior year, Fluharty was named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Senior Team, finishing with 18 points in 52 career games. During the Department of Athletics’ annual Block ‘M’ Awards banquet in 2021, she earned the Victor V. LeMieux ’35 Award, recognizing senior student-athletes who display outstanding traits of loyalty and leadership.
Other local runners are listed below by town, along with their age.
Fitchburg
Mary Foster Drolette, 65; Adam Strazzullo, 40; Gabrielle Whitney, 27.
Lancaster
Ronald Sampson, 31; Margot Sonia, 22; Brett Van Dorn, 34.
Leominster
David Delvalle, 40; Aleyna Duval, 24; Sharon Eid, 64; Katie Guerce, 42; Melissa Hendry, 44; Kacey Morin, 34; Amanda Nisula, 38; Thomas Stracqualursi, 51.
Lunenburg
Pat Benson, 40; Kate Infantino, 49; Scott Kirouac, 39; Zach McHugh,31; Alec McNamara,30.
Townsend
Brian Crane, 61.
Westminster
Alfredo Franco, 30; Sarah Phillips, 41; Jessica Popik, 39; Jeremy Roche, 55.
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