Local Vermont Athlete To Run Boston Marathon

Karen MacIntyrePublished in The Message For The Week, April 1, 2009
Local runner Karen MacIntyre of Westminster, will be a participant in this year's 118th running of the legendary Boston Marathon, as a participant in the twentieth running of the Dana–Farber Marathon Challenge (DFMC). MacIntyre will join other DFMC runners from across America and other countries to run in the historic Massachusetts marathon route from Hopkinton Boston, which will raise $4.85 million for cancer research.
By raising a minimum of $3,000 to receive an invitational entry to this prestigious race, MacIntyre and other DFMC runners are funding the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research at the Dana–Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
So how did McIntyre come about getting involved in this very worthy cause? “Well, in 2007 while training for my first half marathon, my mother was diagnosed with cancer,” McIntyre said in a recent, exclusive Message interview. “One day I looked at my Mom and told her that when I turned 40, I would run the Boston Marathon to raise money for cancer research. My mother passed away in October 2007.
“My mother–in–law was then diagnosed with cancer in November 2007 and in July of 2008 my brother was also diagnosed and treated for throat cancer. "So, when applications for Dana-Farber opened up just two days before my 40th birthday in September, I knew it was something I had to do.” McIntyre first started running on her own two years ago, then started a more structured training schedule last November when she was accepted onto the Dana–Farber team.
Since the DFMC's inception in 1989, these dedicated runners have raised more than $39 million for the Barr Program, which was founded in 1987 by Dana–Farber trustees and Wayne and Delores Weaver, owners of the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. In 1990, Dana–Farber was among the first charity organizations to be given official marathon numbers by the Boston Athletic Association (BAA). This year, 24 charities benefit from the BAA's charity program.
“So far, I have raised $6,635 and am working towards our team's average goal of $8,400. I am truly amazed and grateful for all the support and encouragement that I have received over the last several months and I just want to thank everyone who has gotten involved on my behalf.”
If you would like to contribute to to Karen's run and the Dana–Farber Marathon Challenge, please visit www.rundfmc.org/karenm2009 online or checks can be made out to “Dana Farber Marathon Challenge” and mailed to Karen McIntyre at 54 Monroe Street, Westminster, VT 05158.