Marathon Monday is a beloved Boston tradition. All of Boston — and the 20-plus miles leading into Boston — come alive with runners from around the globe and thousands of spectators cheering them on! Watch out for these women on the Boston Marathon route this April 21!
Emily Margolis :: Needham
Who she is: Mom to two sons ages 12 and 9
Charity: Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Hobbies: CrossFit, yoga, and going to her kids sporting events
Why Emily runs Boston: I started running in high school, following in the footsteps of my marathon/road race running aunt Linda. I ran cross country in high school and in college at Bates in Maine but decided my senior year I was done with cross country. But I decided to try my first marathon — the Maine Marathon in Portland. I was completely hooked after that, and this April will be my 24th marathon and 20th Boston!
I run for Dana Farber in memory of my lifelong friend Julie Venditti, who passed away in 2019 from ovarian cancer, and my aunt Linda, who passed away in 2018 from lung cancer despite being a lifelong runner.
Vanja Petrovic:: Back Bay
Who she is: Mom of two daughters ages 12 and 8 (and two furry babies)
Charity: Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Hobbies: Physical and mental movement, traveling, music, psychology, spending time alone
Why Vanja runs Boston: Running the Boston Marathon is a true rite of passage for anyone living in New England, especially those who live near the finish line. For me, it holds even more significance. In 2015, I was diagnosed with a rare chronic blood disorder and bone marrow fibrosis. During that challenging time, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute provided unwavering support, care, and hope. Their dedication continues to be a source of strength for me, and running the marathon is my way of honoring that journey and the incredible team that has been there for me every step of the way.
Julie Hannon :: Needham
Who she is: Mom to four children ages 12, 11, 8, and 5
Charity: Newton Firefighters Children’s Fund
Hobbies: Running, reading, swimming, watching my kids play sports
Why Julie runs Boston: As a kid, every April I would go into Boston with my mom and my brother and watch my dad cross the finish line of the Boston Marathon — it was so much fun and always the highlight of my school vacation week. My dad made it look so easy that as a college senior at BC I decided to give it a try and run the Boston marathon myself — and I’ve been hooked on marathon running ever since! There is nothing as exciting as running Boston and seeing people along every mile and crossing that finish line on Boylston Street! It’s unbelievable!
This year, for the first time, I am running for a charity — the Newton Firefighters Children’s Fund. I love that it is a local charity that supports children across Massachusetts — it has been amazing to see the work this charity does for kids! I can’t wait to run Boston in April and be able to help such an incredible charity!
Kristen Gilmore :: Norfolk
Who she is: Mom of three children ages 15, 12, and 11
Charity: Mass General Hospital Pediatric Oncology Unit Team
Hobbies: Running, coaching youth sports, anything outdoors
Why Kristen runs Boston: I have always dreamed of running the Boston Marathon. My passion for this event began in childhood when I watched my father run it twice, and each year since I’ve been inspired while cheering for the runners at Wellesley’s iconic Mile 13.
My connection to this event deepened when my best friend’s 15-month-old daughter was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Being there with the family during the heartbreaking moment they received her diagnosis left an indelible mark on me. Fortunately, her prognosis was positive, and today, she is a healthy and resilient young girl. Throughout her treatment, I witnessed the incredible support provided by her Mass General pediatric oncology team — including the marathon partner program, as two runners were matched to run in honor of Gia. That experience ignited a deep desire to someday run for a child fighting cancer.
I’m honored to run this year with the Mass General team to raise funds for pediatric cancer research, a cause that means so much to me. These kids deserve more than the 4% of research funding currently allocated to pediatric cancers.
Amy Comander:: Newton
Who she is: Mom of two children ages 18 and 15
Charity: The Ellie Fund
Hobbies: Running, traveling to new cities, discovering new restaurants, hiking, and reading
Why Amy runs Boston: I am thrilled to run my 12th consecutive Boston Marathon in support of the Ellie Fund, a nonprofit that provides essential support services to individuals undergoing breast cancer treatment in Massachusetts. The Ellie Fund’s mission is to reduce the burdens of everyday life for those facing a breast cancer diagnosis, enabling them to focus on what truly matters: family, recovery, and healing. These services include transportation to medical appointments, grocery and nutritional assistance, childcare reimbursement, prepared nutritious meals, and access to integrative therapies. I have the honor of serving on the Ellie Fund board and have witnessed the profound impact this organization has on the lives of my patients, who gain strength and comfort due to the Ellie Fund’s services.
My favorite running mantra is, “Every mile is a gift, and every finish line is a gift.” This feels especially meaningful this year as I celebrate a milestone birthday! I am incredibly grateful for my health and the ability to run the Boston Marathon to support this cause. Knowing this effort makes a profound difference in the lives of others fills me with purpose and joy.
Meg Cunningham:: Medford
Who she is: Mom of three children ages 7, 5, and 3
Charity: Received an invitational bib to the Boston Marathon through the Somerville Road Runners, a running club
Hobbies: Running on group runs with the Somerville Road Runners, spending time in the woods or at the ocean.
Why Meg runs Boston: Like countless runners, my inspiration to run Boston was seeded many years ago, when I first spectated in 2012. My friends and I were cheering at Mass Ave. & Comm Ave. when the bombs went off in 2013. In the chaos and heartache that followed, I knew one day I would find a way to become a part of the Boston Marathon and count myself a finisher. At that time running was something I did for exercise — but had not found a love for yet.
Life took new turns as I became a mother for the first time and then spent about 6 years either pregnant or nursing, dedicating my body to sustain others. Two years ago I was ready to come back to running and found Somerville Road Runners, a local run club. Having my running time be exercise and social time was revolutionary for me, and I loved engaging in so many of the great runs and benefits the club has to offer.
In April 2024, I got hit with a sledgehammer. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and it had already spread to my lymph nodes. The weeks and months that followed were the darkest of my life, as I navigated the thorny mess of getting the care I needed. While I got this news, I was already deeply embedded in organizing and preparing for the 2024 MOMs Run, a 5K in Davis Square on Mother’s Day organized by Somerville Road Runners to raise funds for cancer research and other local community causes. Already being engaged in this work was a beautiful silver lining, giving me a sense of purpose and community in my cancer journey. This special 5K weaved together pieces of my life that all of a sudden were so front and center — motherhood, cancer research, and running as a way of coping with it all and celebrating what my body could do. The event raised more than $19,000 for cancer research and local community causes.
That year brought many dark days that challenged me emotionally and physically. My family and running got me through it. On my 35th birthday, I found out that Somerville Road Runners would be awarding me one of the invitational bibs they received from for the 2025 Boston Marathon. Training for the marathon has been a gift and a real joy, as I truly appreciate each step I take — and how far I have come from last year. On April 21, I will run the Boston Marathon, just a few days before the first anniversary of my cancer diagnosis. I am running Boston for myself, for reclaiming and reinventing my identity, and for my health.
We love profiling the amazing moms who run the Boston Marathon each year. Check out our 2024 marathon moms for even more inspiration!
