Community Corner
Non-Profits Join Forces in Newton to Train for Boston Marathon
The John M. Barry Boys and Girls Club of Newton is one of 10 Boston-area non-profits that are training together for the Boston Marathon as part of the Marathon Coalition. The group of runners trains on Saturdays starting in Newton.
Usually, a drizzly, gray Saturday morning is an easy excuse to stay in bed and catch some extra shuteye, but for several dozen dedicated runners, it was just another day in their Boston Marathon training.
Runners for various youth-serving non-profits in the Boston area, including the , meet each Saturday in Newton Centre to train for the big race in April.
The group of 10 non-profits came together to combine their resources and passion to raise money and train for the marathon. The group, known as the Marathon Coalition, trains under Coach Rick Muhr. The Marathon Coalition includes:
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- Boys & Girls Club of Newton
- ACCESS
- Boston Debate League
- Boston Partners in Education
- Bottom Line
- Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester
- JumpStart
- Mass Mentoring Partnership
- Summer Search
- Boston Museum of Science
Muhr, a seasoned marathon coach and avid runner, keeps a blog to update the coalition on news and training methods.
Though he was out of town on business for training on March 3, Muhr said in a phone interview he hoped the runners could keep up their motivation despite the less-than-desirable weather conditions.
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“I tell them to imagine what that section of the course will be like on marathon day,” he said, referring to the swarms of well-wishers who line the course on race day.
The Boys and Girls Club . The Boston Athletic Association supports 31 charities overall, but adds five new charities to its rotating class of 15-16 charities each year.
Those selected by the BAA commit to three years of racing before they graduate and make room for new charities to apply for support.
Getting BAA support was a long process, but John Ryan, director of development at the Boys and Girls Club said he is excited to be part of the marathon. When the Club selected its fifteen runners, Ryan said they sought teammates that have good fundraising ability, support youth programs and possess good character overall.
Ryan, who is part of the marathon team, says training has changed his weekends.
“Now my Friday nights are about eating pasta, going to bed early and waking up early on Saturday to run 15 miles,” he says.
To date, the Club has raised $50,000 in its marathon fundraising. Each runner committed to raising a minimum of $4,000, with a larger goal set at $5,000.
