2025 Boston Marathoners
Robin Condon | Published on 5/4/2025
Starting out with the ease of taking the MVS bus, ideal weather, and fantastic crowd support, the result was a great day. I met my goal of 25 consecutive Boston Marathons-one virtual. I had the privilege of getting an MVS number for two of those years. I am thankful for MVS spirit, support, and the many friends I’ve made through the years!"
~ Carol Blanchard
"It was an incredible race! Such an awesome experience— I loved how Boston comes together for Patriot Day! I am done- injury free, under my personal time limits, with soreness no different from a 20/21 mile run. Boston weather was too kind! I was able to enjoy the race so much.
I’m so grateful for this experience💕💕🦄🏁 I’m so happy that I had MVS track and drill Tuesdays for training. I was so happy to see MVS Human chain and fellow runners at start line.
Thankful for you all rooting for me on this the journey. 🙏 This was my first marathon, I have never done any race more than 5k prior to this undertaking"
~Sanjana Chandak
"I can't believe I ran one of the most iconic marathons, BOSTON! And I’m still in awe that I did. The support along the way carried me through the finish line and I can’t thank everyone enough because WOW THAT WAS HARD!!!
The running community is unmatched, especially my friends and family and to my amazing running club! Thank you for getting me to the start line! I will forever be humbled and in complete awe of anyone who runs this beast.
Boston you are remarkable! From Hopkinson to left on Boylston."
~ Yaira Nunez
While at the start, I thought about what he would say to me if he were here and I thought, “mom run your best race,” don’t give up even if you are tired! So, I did just that.
My goal was to not blow the second half of the race, so I have to be very conservative in my pace which was about a 9:10/9:20 pace. I kept telling myself easy does it, easy does it when my pace would creep up at about an 8:55 pace! I made it to heart break for the first time with energy! And my goodness, I ran up Heartbreak Hill without walking!! I took a silly little picture approaching the, “Congrats on Submitting Heartbreak Hill" sign! It’s a little explicit (middle finger picture) but I was ecstatic that I didn’t let this part of the race break me. 🤣
At the bottom of Heartbreak, I felt my legs turn into what felt like cinder blocks and could not pick up the pace, so I decided to play it safe and stay at about a 9:30 pace and enjoy the ride! I slapped every kid’s hand that I could. I loved the scream and said a big, hell yeah in there!!! 🤣
Then before I knew, I was on Boylston Street with very watery eyes and crossed the finish line I turned around to look at the journey I just completed!!! My heart felt full, and my guardian angel (my son) made sure I didn’t give up when I was tired!!! My experience was a positive one!!!"
~ Judy Pena-DeLeon
The first seven miles completely wrecked my quads, even though I thought I had followed the advice of runners before, I was wrong. At that point, I had a moment of panic knowing I still had nearly 20 more to go. I had to adapt my race plan on the fly and remind myself to trust all the training and miles I had logged through the freezing winter months and just finish as best as I could.
The crowd was unbelievable having my name on my shirt was so key because strangers were constantly cheering me on. I also had friends, or family stationed every few miles, which gave me something to look forward to and kept my spirits up because I knew I couldn’t let them see me looking half-dead…
The final stretch down Boylston was unforgettable—my brother and his girlfriend were cheering louder than I’ve ever heard, and I crossed the finish line with a strong kick straight into my mom’s arms.
Once again, thank you MVS for the opportunity to send volunteers to the Boston Marathon. Another huge shoutout to Kathleen, who not only insisted on taking finish line photos (which I now cherish) but also sent perfectly timed texts that got me through my most doubtful moments.
I was more exhausted than I’ve ever been and woke up thinking I might never walk normally again—but just three days later, I was back on my feet and already thinking about what’s next.
Thank you is not strong enough for what I am feeling, but thank you thank you thank you MVS because I will never forget the incredible feeling of being able to say I am a Boston Marathon finisher!"
~ Devan Peterson
Training started in earnest on New Year’s Day at the annual Hangover Classic in Salisbury. For the next 17 weeks, I got my mileage up despite a much colder and snowier winter than last year. I did MVS indoor track and focused more on core strength and weight training than during past marathon trainings.
On race day, I was pleased to see that the temperature was cooler than last year, but still pleasant enough for crowds to congregate throughout the 26.2 mile journey. The night before, I mapped out a plan for each 5 mile increment - I would start out slower but gain speed around Wellesley and Newton and hope to hold on during the hills. After Heartbreak Hill, I actually felt alright, and I never really hit the wall during this race. From there the crowds carried me through Brookline and past the Citgo sign and knowing that the end was in sight I gave it all I could as I turned right onto Hereford and left onto Boylston.
Overall, I set a PR for the marathon and felt amazing afterwards despite the pains in my legs and feet. Already looking forward to training for the next marathon, wherever that will be!"
~ Ben Raphael
"What a race! What a perfect day! I really feel like I couldn’t have executed my 5th Boston Marathon much better. The best part, besides crossing the finish line, was the Para Athlete start. I had the privilege of a 9:50 AM start and standing toe to toe on the start line with my MVS Human Chain friends. It’s also really something to stand on the start line and watch the gun go off. Definitely an experience I will never forget. And running a big PR, first BQ and 2nd place in the Upper Limb Impairment division was pretty good too.
Most importantly, I raised over $5,000 for Boston Children’s Hospital. Running as a Para Athlete and fundraising for BCH has brought so much purpose to my running."
~Adrienne Roger Keane
"This was my 4th marathon and 4th Boston marathon. What an incredible experience and one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done. The winter training was tough: icy, snowy, cold. Yet, the MVS runners still showed up. MVS friends joined together for many long runs. I couldn’t have done it without them. All of you.
I’m thrilled with my run and had a blast while setting a personal record. I’m proud to have run wearing the Merrimack Valley Striders logo. I’m proud of the runner I’ve become with the support and inspiration from all you runners around me. Keep running! :)
~ Debbie Sewade
"I had a streak of Boston’s going until I encountered some issues. With my return I qualified at BayState last October. The registration timing precluded me from running Boston until 2026. I was fortunate enough to be granted a number by MVS which was my aspiration.
It was a delightful day. The convenience of the bus, talking with friends and meeting some new ones was enjoyable. The comfort waiting in Hopkinton and preparing to head the corals was as comfortable as it could be. The weather was a bonus for the run.
Goal #1 was to make it the starting line, #2 finish and #3 qualify for 2026 and all are checked off. This was my 16th Boston and now I have plans for next April.
Thank you MVS!"
~ Steve Seide
"Trying to put the Boston Marathon into words is next to Impossible:
🦄It's not just me, it's us.
🦄It's not just what I could do, it's what we could do.
🦄 It's not just what I did, it's what we did.
Who's the We?
Friends, family, running partners new & old, Josh, Aaron, the Merrimack Valley Striders , 261 Fearless Club New England , Tracksmith , the Boston Marathon.
The course went up while going down, and down while going up while tens of thousands of people cheered me on!
Right on Hereford, left on Boylston, through the wall of noise and over the finish line. Grateful to be caught in the arms of so many friends. Humbled, appreciative, and fulfilled. So proud, so tired, so happy!
Thank you Merrimack Valley Striders . Boston, you're my home."
~Mollie Shenker
"My training for Boston went extremely well, despite the cold winter. I knew I could have a good day if the weather cooperated and I paced myself. The weather ended up being as good as it gets for Boston, and my coach gave me a race plan that was based on heart rate. I stuck to that plan like glue, didn't really focus on pace, and had a 3 minute course PR! And it was so much fun being greeted by fellow striders post race."
~ Maura Szendey
After what seemed to be an endless winter with all the snow and ice that made training challenging from time to time, April 21st was finally there!
Some of that morning is still somewhat of a blur, getting up early and making sure I was on time for the bus. Forcing myself to eat while my stomach was protesting because of all the anxious feelings.
Arriving in Hopkinton, waiting on the bus and making our way through the Athletes Village, there's nothing like the morning of a marathon, the buzzing of excitement!
The first 10 miles flew by, Ashland, Framingham, into Natick, I was taking it all in, loving every second of it and realizing, this is really happening, I am running the Boston Marathon! Seeing some friends along the course and then past the half way point towards Wellesley, about half a mile away, you could hear the Wellesley screaming tunnel, just what I needed at that point to give me a little push, knowing a few hills would be coming up.
Seeing my family at mile 18 was just wonderful, right before the Newton hills, my legs started to hurt a little, so I could catch my breath, take a little break and prepare for the all the fun coming up..
The Newton hills... What can I say, they were tough but the crowds carried me and seeing some MVS friends gave me a huge boost, before I knew it, I saw the Heartbreak hill banner, it would be almost all downhill from there and let me tell you - did my quads tell me. With 5 more miles to go, I continued to think about my mantra - 'Run the mile you're in, don't think about what is yet to come!' I made quick pitstops at every other medical tent to put some Biofreeze gel on my quads and tried to keep my rhythm going. And 'just like that', there was the famous Citgo Sign at mile 25 with my family waiting for me.
I remember hanging on to my wife and son, telling them in tears, 'I am in so much pain'. After a few hugs and words of encouragement, I put myself back together for the last mile, that finish line felt so close!
Once I saw the Hereford sign, I had goosebumps all over and they wouldn't go away for a long time. Left on Boylston, and the tears came, running that last stretch, seeing the finish line, the crowds screaming and realizing I was about to finish the Boston marathon, is almost impossible to describe.
And yes, I did kiss that finish line because how can you not when the Boston marathon was a dream come through!!"
~ Jessica Valkenburg