Boston Marathon
“This race is more than 26.2 miles — it is a tribute to my mom’s courage and a thank-you to the team that helped save her life”
March 23, 2026 | 2:50 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: Allyson Bogdanski
Age: 45
From: Medford, Mass.
I am running the Boston Marathon in honor of my mom — a two-time breast cancer survivor whose strength, resilience, and grace continue to inspire me every single day. She received all of her treatments at Dana-Farber, and she is still a patient there today. Because of the care, compassion, and groundbreaking research at Dana-Farber, my mom is here with us, living her life with courage and gratitude.
Cancer changes a family forever. I watched my mom face each diagnosis with determination, showing up to every appointment with hope in her heart and trust in her care team. Dana-Farber became more than a hospital to us — it became a place of healing, support, and unwavering dedication. The doctors, nurses, and staff didn’t just treat her disease; they treated her as a whole person, walking beside her through every step of the journey.
Running the Boston Marathon is my way of honoring her fight and celebrating her survivorship. Every mile represents her strength. Every step is for the countless patients and families who walk through Dana-Farber’s doors searching for answers, comfort, and a future.
This race is more than 26.2 miles — it is a tribute to my mom’s courage and a thank-you to the team that helped save her life, not once, but twice. I run with her story in my heart and her strength in my stride.
Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.
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Kelly Chan
Kelly Chan is a content producer at Boston.com. She designs multimedia content on site and across social media platforms, and experiments with new ways to engage readers.
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