In the fall of 2022, I won a lottery for an official entry to run the Boston Marathon. Boston is one of the most famous marathons in the world and the entries are limited. The qualifying times for non-charity runners are extremely competitive. I had entered the lottery four times previously, and run twice as an unofficial 'bandit' runner before the 2013 bombing, but I'd never had an official entry before.
I'd be running for Team Framingham. Because the marathon course runs through Framingham, the Boston Athletic Association grants the city 25 marathon entries. They hold a lottery for any city resident, school teacher, or city employee who agrees to raise $2,500 for one of the city charities.
Charity
I chose to run for Hoops & Homework. It's an after-school program for kids in disadvantaged neighborhoods. They provide fun activities and tutoring for the kids in the neighborhoods where they live. It's a safe place where they can hang out with their friends and get help with their homework.
Snazzy Running Shirt
