Running Boston Marathon for Boston Animal Care and Control

Hello friends, family, animal lovers, and fellow running community!

I am embarking on my journey of marathon training for the Boston Marathon in April 2025, the 7th marathon that I have run, and the last one in my journey to run the Abbott Six Star Major Marathon challenge, after running in the 6 cities that I have lived in or have personal ties to.

I started to run for fitness when I attended university at Boston University along the Esplanade along the Charles River, and then with my college classmates, entered my first B.A.A. race in 2014 at the 5k before the marathon. I was also present during the bombings in 2013, and so Boston Marathon holds an emotional place in my heart, and I will run to commemorate those who died and were injured during that Marathon Monday.

I will be running to support the City of Boston’s Animal Care and Control Division, which offers a safe haven for animals that are picked up as stray, abandoned by their owners, court-ordered to be held as part of legal proceedings, or are rescued from unfit homes. They provide care for these animals, even urban wildlife, with a warm bed, medical treatment, play & enrichment, and a safe place to stay until they can either be reunited with their owners or adopted to a new, loving home either through their service or through their many partner rescue organizations.

Your donation will bring valuable support to the City’s shelter to raise money for food and supplies to help care for these displaced and stray animals. The Animal Care and Control Division also provides low-cost services to Boston residents, including spay/neuter procedures and vaccination clinics, as well as a pet food pantry for neighbors experiencing economic hardship and needing help feeding their pet.

Finally, the Animal Care and Control Division has no administrative costs that are covered by this Fund; therefore, 100% of every dollar I fundraise will be donated directly to care for these animals!

In my bio photo, I feature my newly adopted family member, Riku, whose mom and littermates were rescued in North Dakota, rehabilitated in Rochester, Minnesota by the Forever Fido Puppy Rescue, and I appreciate all of the rescues who put in the hard work to rehabilitate and find safe new homes for these animals.

Your donation, of any amount, is greatly appreciated to help me reach my goal of $5,000.