Boston Marathon
“Running can transform lives.”
Ahmed Mansour is running the 2026 Boston Marathon. (Photo courtesy of Ahmed Mansour)
February 17, 2026 | 1:26 PM
1 minute to read
In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon athletes share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston. Looking for more race day content? Sign up for Boston.com’s pop-up Boston Marathon newsletter.
Name: Ahmed Mansour
Age: 45
From: Houston, Texas
I’m honored to be running the 2026 Boston Marathon as a charity runner for the Boston Athletic Academy. I’m running Boston because I believe running can transform lives and it transformed mine. What began as a way to get healthier has become a mission rooted in discipline, gratitude, and giving back.
Today, every mile has a purpose: to help underprivileged youth gain access to mentorship, education, and athletics. I’m also on a personal mission to complete the World Marathon Majors the “7-star” journey. Boston this April will be my 6th star, one of the most meaningful milestones on this path. Next, I’ll be heading to Sydney in August as I continue working toward this lifelong dream. Each star represents not just a race, but perseverance, community, and hope.
The work of the Boston Athletic Academy inspires me daily helping kids build confidence, stay active, and believe in what’s possible both on the track and in the classroom. Knowing that each donation supports these young athletes keeps me motivated on the toughest training days.
Thank you for giving runners space to share their “why.” I’m grateful for the chance to be part of this year’s story.
Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.
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Are you running the 2026 Boston Marathon? Share your story with us.
Annie Jonas is a Community writer at Boston.com. She was previously a local editor at Patch and a freelancer at the Financial Times.
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