2014 Boston Marathon - Rob McNeil

Since I was young, I always dreamed of one day running the Boston Marathon. As with some of our dreams, life often gets in the way or we have other, more pressing priorities.

However, following the despicable terrorist bombings at the 2013 Boston Marathon I decided it was time to stop being a spectator and time to live out a dream of mine in solidarity with all the people who have ever ran Boston or will in the future. My commitment to running Boston this year goes well beyond my own personal goals but rather is about recognizing our own personal freedoms, the amazing people who assisted the wounded following the bombings, and the men and women in uniform who help preserve our personal freedoms each and every day.

I have a chance to run Boston thanks to my brother Matt, a fifteen-year veteran of the Hopkinton Police Department. Like many fund-raising runners, I am raising $2,500 for the Hopkinton Police Association.

Many thanks to my new friends at Central Mass Striders and to my pace man and cousin Paul McNeil, Jr. who will be running with me. I have received and continue to receive mountains of motivation and encouragement from them all.

Please help my dream become a reality this year by giving anything you can in support, even $5 will help me towards my goal. I hope to see you along the marathon race route this year encouraging others to continue the awesome tradition that is Boston!

Thank You for your support!

The Real Deal "“ Rob McNeil