South End Residents To Participate in Boston Marathon for Cancer Research

Fifteen South End residents will join the 130th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America as Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team runners.

According to a MYSouthEnd.com report, the team includes a diverse roster of runners: Erin “Maddy” Berg, Deven Bhattacharya, Derek Boyse, Elizabeth Egan, Daniel Flynn, Elizabeth Holmes, Maddie Holmes, Shannon Lydon, Sarah Lyons, Ryan McCaffrey, Bobby Pearl, Benjamin Ravelson, Christina Sakellaris, Francesca Simeone, and Joseph Whitney. They will join more than 500 Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge teammates from across the United States and around the world in running the 26.2-mile course from Hopkinton to Boston on Monday, April 20.

As noted in the MySouthEnd.com report, the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge aims to raise more than $8.75 million to support cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research. 

Since 1990, the Marathon Challenge has raised more than $140 million for the Claudia Adams Barr Program. This year marks the 37th running of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge as the Boston Marathon's largest and longest-running charity team.

Runners participate as cancer survivors, patients, or family and friends. Participants who receive an invitational entry from Dana-Farber agree to raise at least $12,000. Runners who obtain their own race entry commit to raising a minimum of $4,000.

Dana-Farber was among the early charity partners recognized by the Boston Athletic Association, which oversees the marathon. Dana-Farber team members receive fundraising support, training runs, special events, and access to a post-race recovery area. Jack Fultz, who will mark 50 years since his 1976 Boston victory, will serve as the team's training advisor for the 37th time.

Support for the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge can be made by donating on the website RunDFMC.org, by calling 617-632-1970, or by emailing the team.