Why I'm Still Running the 2020 Boston Marathon (in September)
Because there’s not a cure for cancer yet. It’s that simple.
And you can run part or all of it with me this year.
Here’s how. It’s really simple.
After riding my first Pan-Mass Challenge in 2017, I made a promise to myself to complete an endurance fundraiser (AKA “Sufferfest”) every year to raise money for Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The DFCI team are the ones that will find the cure, and the money raised through PMC, The Jimmy Fund, the Boston Marathon and the other events will get them there faster.
After 3 PMC rides, in 2020 I decided to run my 4th Boston with Team Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge. Because of Covid, the Marathon’s original April start date was postponed until September, and then cancelled, but the BAA has given us the opportunity to run Boston “virtually” this year - creating our own 26.2 mile course and running it during the week of Sunday, September 6th to 14th (Marathon Monday).
I’m planning to run on Saturday, September 12, starting in the AM at Plymouth Rock and finishing at Island Creek Oysters Raw Bar in Duxbury. Here’s the initial course map that I’ve laid out.
Normally, the massive crowds on the Boston Marathon course lift the runners up and give them the strength to keep going when they don’t think they can. This year, there will be no crowd.
Unless you join me. For a block, a mile, a few miles or as many as you want to do. Or a water stop. Or a beer at ICO afterwards. Or a like on my Instagram, Facebook or Strava. Whatever you want to do will be a massive help. I won’t be going fast, nor will I be wearing a mask. And 26 miles is a lot of time for a lot of Dad Jokes.
If you’re interested, email me dk@dknies.com and i’ll send you details.
And if you want to help another way, I’m still raising money for Dana-Farber - here’s my fundraising page.
And if you have a loved one who is a cancer survivor or victim, please send me their name(s). I’ll write them down and carry them with me during the race. They’ll be the crowd that pushes me. Both live and virtually.
Hope to see you on September 12th. Either live or virtually.
In the words of Bartles and Jaymes, “Thank you for your support.”
