Andrew Cummings
Andy's life has been measured in milestones. Boston 2026 was his 9thBoston Marathon and 18thmarathon. This one was special because the B.A.A. had added the T20 category of para-athletes to the Para Athletics division which means that his sub 3:50 marathon times qualified him to run in this division. The kicker is that he cannot have a guide or support runner. He had to get dropped off at the Sheraton in Boston and navigate the transportation, pre-race, race, and post-race alone. Other than running the first 5k at 7 minute miles, he did a fantastic job and achieved this previously unthinkable milestone! He finished 3rdin the T20 division and won $1,500! He didn't know that he also earned a beautiful crystal trophy and missed those awards, sadly. Maybe we can have a photo op for him at the June meeting!
Anne Downing
Running the Boston Marathon was equal parts amazing and humbling, and I’m so grateful to MVS for giving me the opportunity with a bib. I felt strong early on, but the later miles definitely had other plans for me. Thankfully the crowds and energy along the course kept me moving forward. Crossing the finish line was an incredible feeling and a moment I’ll always be proud of.
Ben Goldthwaite
My first Boston and second marathon far exceeded my expectations. Thanks to the MVS club and awesome individuals for providing advice, support and encouragement before, during, and after the race. I felt really good from the start, like I was getting pulled along by an endless chain of runners on the course. Somehow I was able to power through the hills and avoid heavy legs until mile 22. I'm proud of my finish time of 3:27:46 and looking forward to Chicago in the fall. Special shout out to my daughter Neena who joined me on many training runs and demonstrated patience and resilience while being stuck at the parents' house for medical treatment for the last two months.
Dave McCarthy
Boston was my tenth marathon, but it was my first marathon in 28 years. It was such a magical day from start to finish. I am grateful for having the opportunity to represent MVS. After I found out that I was lucky enough to receive a bib, I kept waking up in the middle of the night day after day and would say to myself, "I can't believe that I am running Boston!" That's a reminder that it is always good to have a goal that is big enough that it scares you just a little bit. This winter was certainly a good test in resilience. But the shared experience with my MVS teammates made it special. Thanks again, MVS.
Dave McGillivray
TEAM MCGILLIVRAY FINISH STRONG!
It was a great day for the McGillivray family at Monday’s Boston Marathon running for the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation. A total of $350,000 was raised for the foundation by the 24 runners running as part of the Finish Strong team! Luke and cousin Charlie, Elle and Max all did awesome with Luke and Elle setting personal bests. It was Luke, Charlie and Elle’s second Boston and Max’ third Boston. I was able to finish my 54thconsecutive Boston, and it was fun to run a little of the way with Astronaut Sunita Williams. So cool, too, to have my son, Ryan, present me and his brother, Max, with our finisher medals! Great day all around.
Eugene Lee
Running Boston was the experience of a lifetime. We’re very lucky to have such a great local race. It was great to be able to train with a great group of MVS runners, to see MVS volunteers from the start to the finish, and to see MVS smiling faces right after crossing the finish line. This was a family accomplishment! I couldn’t have done it without Fjola “gently” asking in the morning if I was still planning on running and looking after everything while I was out on a run. Even Ella is encouraging for me to go out on long runs, but that may be because she often gets breakfast in bed on those days.
Janelle Bruno
Running my first marathon at the 2026 Boston Marathon was truly a magical experience. The crowd was electric and a lot of fun. It was truly a dream come true and I am so happy I was able to do it with the support of everyone with the MVS!
Jin Yuan
The 130th Boston marathon was a great experience for me! The joy of the challenge of the race was matched only by the pleasure of the camaraderie on the bus!
Jocelyn Cascio
2026 was Boston #11 for me and I am always reminded that there is no other race that compares to the incredible experience of running from Hopkinton to Boston. It's a privilege each time and something for which I'm incredibly grateful. This year's weather was absolutely perfect and just added to the magic of the day! I tried an experiment for the first time: running with tape over my watch, 100% by perceived effort. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot! I guessed my time as I ran down Boylston and was very pleasantly surprised to finish 5 minutes faster than I thought, in 3:29. This was the same time I ran in 2023, with a watch, which was really interesting! I'm already looking forward to next year!
Josh Shenker
Wow, the Boston Marathon was so hard and so awesome. I feel like I went to Disney and got on the marathon ride for 4½ hours and loved every minute of it. Thank you MVS for this opportunity.
Julia Hardy
Incredible. Absolutely incredible. The weather was perfect, the crowds were loud and encouraging, and I ran the best marathon of my life so far. I crossed the finish line in 4:21:29, which is a PR for me by 13:59, as well as a PR by 20:36 over my first Boston. I trained hard for that, not really knowing what was going to happen, and I earned it. The best parts, aside from my PR? My MVS friends on the Human Chains cheering at the start line, not stopping to walk at any point along the course, and making the first bus home with only a minute or two to spare. It was all and more than I could have asked for, and I am deeply grateful, especially to MVS for allowing me the opportunity to represent us. What an incredible day.
Louise Cummings
It was my 10thBoston and 31stmarathon. My last two Bostons have been purposeful and memorable. Three years ago, I had the privilege of running every step with our dear friend, Mak Joshi. This year, my lifelong friend and her 3 children ran for Dana Farber as her 60thbirthday request. Her kids ran together and she asked me to run with her. Her only other marathon was when we ran New York together in 2019. They raised $60,000 for Dana Farber. We were so lucky to have an epic day, and we ran the exact time that we ran in 2019!
Maura Szendey
The Boston Marathon is always magical, whether it’s a good day or a not so good day. Between expo, the bus ride down, the walk to the corrals, the volunteers, the spectators and the other runners no other race is like it. We’re so fortunate that it is in our backyard. Boston 2026 was truly a magical experience for me. My training went extremely well, after recovering from a knee injury last summer. I’m so grateful for the many MVSers ready to run – whether it was my early morning run crew, Sundays at Tracksmith, or a random late Sunday afternoon long run on an extremely cold day. I love the running community – and MVS has a great community. Marathon Monday had absolutely perfect weather and I was ready. I had a race plan based on heart rate and paid more attention to that than to pace. My first half was fast. I slowed down a little in the 2nd half. I finished with a 7-minute course PR – improving my time from last year – and it was my first sub-4 in Boston. And more importantly, finally got a photo with the Citgo sign!
Romi Kimmell
Running the Boston Marathon was the most amazing experience of my life! As soon as I crossed the starting line, I told myself, "this is your race," and focused on shortening my stride during the long downhill to preserve my quads. I was buzzing with excitement and energy but did not want to overdo it too early. I truly enjoyed every minute of the Boston Marathon: seeing my MVS family at the start and finish, the notable spots everyone talks about like the Wellesley scream tunnel, BC, and Heartbreak, and having my family on the course with handmade signs carried me through. After crushing the hills, I dialed in and told myself, "Come on!", repeating it out loud over and over to push myself to the finish. When I turned right on Hereford, I couldn't contain my emotion knowing I was so close to finishing the Boston Marathon. It lived up to everything it stands for: the challenge, the wild roar of the fans lining the streets, and the unbridled energy of the entire day pulsing like a heartbeat throughout all 26.2 miles of the course. The weeks of training, the miles, the sacrifices, and my determination to get to both the start and the finish: it was all worth it when I ran through that finish line with my arms in the air, tears in my eyes, and my heart full of gratitude for the opportunity to run this iconic race.
Steve Seide
My thoughts and feelings...Patriot's Day and Marathon Monday are the finish line. It’s spring and we made it through the winter training. There is more daylight, new growth, and it’s warmer. It’s not just an event but a life changer. What you experience in preparing has changed you and you don’t lose it when it’s over, it's with you forever. It’s about gratitude for what you just experienced and passing it on to others. Sharing the experience with others, meeting new people and talking with others under the conditions is never the same. It keeps you green, fresh, and learning. You just have to show up, put on the hard hat, and go to work. It’s a gift.
Susana Cenanovic
Still riding the high from running the Boston Marathon! What started as nervous, excited energy turned into pure joy (and pain!) - fueled by the incredible crowds and my running club tribe from the Merrimack Valley Striders! There's nothing like running one of the most storied marathon courses in my favorite city - the electrifying crowds and my MVS peeps carried me all the way to the finish line. So grateful to my running club, MVS for this unforgettable opportunity.
Tony Straceski
I am very grateful for the support of my friends and fellow runners. In November 2025 I had a lumbar disc rupture which derailed my running and training for 3 months. I was not sure that I could finish the race, and I had serious doubts even in the morning, I got on the MVS bus! I managed to get across the finish line, although 30 min slower than last year. A huge thank you for the gracious support of the MVS members, who offered advice, and made the trip so enjoyable.
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