We are honored to be a part of the historic Boston Marathon®. Thanks to John Hancock’s Marathon Non-Profit Program, each year we fundraise with a team of incredible individuals who run in support of our organization, holding events to support their progress along the way.
We are grateful for our dedicated runners, who we collaborate with through social media and event promotions to meet a $10,000 fundraising goal per person.
Meet our 2022 Boston Marathon Runners
Lindsay Belair
Lindsay, born and raised in Lenox, Mass, has had a passion for running since she was seven years old. After running on her high school Cross Country and Track team for six years, Lindsay took her love for running to Boston, where she studied Public Relations and Marketing at Suffolk University. A recent graduate of Suffolk, Lindsay now works as a Marketing Associate at Verte Agency. In a class her freshman year, Lindsay was asked to write down a few long-term goals, one of which she wrote: “To run the Boston Marathon.” Coupled with her love for running, she also aims to help those in need. Hundreds of miles and $10,000 later, Lindsay has accomplished one of her dreams, and is so grateful to have had the support of St. Francis House along the way.
Click here to support Lindsay!
Marlene O’Donnell
Marlene first started seriously running as a participant in an exercise/nutrition study at BU. As a member of the running club Heartbreak Hill Striders, she has enjoyed the new friendships she’s created while running. Running has taught Marlene that if she makes a plan and has options, she can reach her goal. While running, she tries to listen to her breath, her feet hitting the ground and observes the meditative movements. She focuses on thing at a time, one mile at a time.
This marathon is important to Marlene because she is hoping to make a difference and help the Boston community. If she could offer encouragement to the men and women who come to St. Francis House, she would tell them that everyone has challenges and obstacles, yes, but believe every day is a gift.
Click here to support Marlene!
Tolu Oke
Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Tolu moved to the US to study Physics and Mechanical Engineering. After college, she worked in Boston at an office located on Boylston Street, which provided her a front row view to the euphoric last stretch of the Boston Marathon. Despite not being a runner up until this point, the sight of the finish line inspired Tolu to take up the sport herself. Later that year, she went on her first run of 0.73 miles before working her way up to 5k’s, 10k’s, triathlons, half-marathons, and marathons, with the ultimate goal of running in Boston. Tolu is a former St. Francis House volunteer who is combining her passion for running and her passion for service by running on behalf of St. Francis House. Other than running, Tolu’s hobbies include walking, biking, hiking, traveling and reading. In anticipation for the big run, she says she is “Thankful to God for the ability to move, for nature, and for the great joy He gives me through these and other activities.”
