Boston Marathon
Jason Perry is running the 2026 Boston Marathon.
Jason Perry is running the 2026 Boston Marathon. (Photo courtesy of Jason Perry)
March 7, 2026 | 3:00 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: Jason Perry
Age: 48
From: Stockton, California
For the amazing wish children that Make-A-Wish serves in the Greater Massachusetts-Rhode Island region is why I run. The pain of training and the enduring mind strength that it takes to run the Boston Marathon is nothing compared to what these wish children and their families go through.
They provide me with tremendous hope that tomorrow will be a brighter day, that together we can make a tremendous impact on one another, regardless of our life’s circumstances at any given time. These wish children don’t dwell on their circumstance but instead the hope for a brighter future. It is that pureness that keeps me lacing up [and] raising money for our amazing Wish children, [because] each wish I grant forever leaves the imprint on us all.
Over the last 15 years, I have had the pleasure of meeting so many incredible Wish children, some that have overcome the challenges and others that sadly are no longer with us. However, each one lived with joy, despite their challenges, and those that are still with us inspire me daily, from random text messages of success in their life and the steadfast belief in their wish being critical in their medical journey.
I lace up for you Wish kids, those that I have personally helped grant a wish for, and those that will soon receive their heartfelt wish. I lace up in honor of those wish children that are no longer with us, they are forever imprinted on me.
Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.
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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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