About Us
Marathon Monday is commonly regarded as the best day of a Boston College student’s year. For those on the sidelines, it means parties, sunny weather, and customized tank tops; for those who are running, the day constitutes something entirely different. Read the stories of three different BC women and the causes they are honoring before you cheer them on at Mile 21 on April 20.
Alex Root, A&S '16
Communications major / Film Studies minor
Hometown: New Canaan, Connecticut
Q: What cause are you running for, and why?
A: I’m running and fundraising for the Joslin Diabetes Center, which I chose as my cause because I was diagnosed with Type I diabetes when I was three years old. When I came to BC, I started as a patient at Joslin, and was amazed by the great work they do in research and treatment of diabetes. When I interned in their Communications department during my sophomore year, I wanted to apply as soon as I learned they had a Marathon team.
Q: What was your favorite part of your training process?
A: The best thing about the training was that it made me learn to enjoy running. Prior to beginning my process, I was not a runner, but it was always something I wanted to get better at. It has definitely gotten easier as I’ve pushed myself – plus, it’s really nice to be able to accomplish my goal of running a marathon while also running for a cause that is important to me.
Anthony Golden / Gavel Media
Karina Mann, A&S '17
Math major / Econ minor
Hometown: Merritt Island, FL
Q: What cause are you running for, and why?
Running a marathon has always been on my bucket list, and when I came to BC the culture around the Boston Marathon was bigger than any other, so I decided to go for it. I knew I wanted to run for some sort of cancer organization, because the disease has touched a lot of people around me. That’s why I chose to run for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, because it is such a hugely important research organization here in Boston.
A: What has been the greatest challenge you have faced in your training?
The biggest obstacle I’ve faced is just running outside on Saturday mornings, specifically because of how bad this winter was, even by Boston standards. I just remember waking up one morning to a -10 degree wind chill and having to get out of bed for a long run… but, everyone on the Dana-Farber team tries to do them together, which boosts morale a lot.
Tori Fisher / Gavel Media
Hartley Bingham, A&S '17
Communications major
Hometown: Montpelier, VT
Q: What cause are you running for, and why?
My cause is Merritt’s Way, which is a scholarship under the Trinity Youth Program. Merritt was my best friend who died a year and a half ago in a car accident while on a cross-country biking trip. We created the scholarship in her honor, as well as a national student awareness campaign called “TextLess Live More,” which aims to eradicate the problem of texting and driving and change the culture around the use of cell phones while behind the wheel.
A: What have you learned throughout your training for the Marathon?
Training has definitely taught me to organize my time better; I have to schedule my life around running everyday. The running itself has been kind of healing for me because I love to run anyways. It doesn’t matter the weather conditions; it’s really great just to be out there.
Bianca Dempsey / Gavel Media
Native Massachusetts girl with an addiction to coffee in all its glorious forms. In love with cities she’s not yet visited & shamelessly obsessed with anything J. Crew. Proudly owning the term ‘basic.'
