Why I’m Running: ‘We planned to run the Boston Marathon together’
Sara Stephenson is running the Boston Marathon for Camp Casco, a camp for childhood cancer survivors and their siblings.
“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.
First and last name: Sara Stephenson
Age: 24
From: North Bethesda, Maryland
The Boston Marathon is one of my favorite days of the year. I grew up watching it, and sometimes it’s even on my birthday! I’ve always dreamed of running it.
As a child, I witnessed my mom and younger brother experience significant health conditions. My mom is a type I diabetic and double transplant recipient, and my brother went to occupational therapy for twelve years. Small tasks normally performed by human bodies, such as being able to balance or maintaining functional blood-glucose levels, were tasks my brother and mom’s bodies struggled to perform since they were children. These conditions were extremely stressful, requiring assistance, vigilance, and hard work to maintain normalcy.
Running was an escape for me. No matter the uncertainty that occurs around me, running remains constant. I can control each step I take, how hard I push myself, and the repetitions in my training. I never thought I’d be able to handle the pressure of running as a competition until I began to meet the incredible individuals within the running community and it as a sport. One of those individuals was my friend Caroline, who shared her immense love for being a competitive runner with me, encouraged me, and inspired me deeply.
Caroline fought cancer with courage and resilience, continuing to spread kindness despite her pain. We planned to run the Boston Marathon together, and I hope to race this year in honor of her memory. I’m fundraising Camp Casco, a camp for childhood cancer survivors and their siblings, because the impactful work they do resonates strongly with me. No child deserves to lose their childhood from circumstances out of their control, and Camp Casco creates an environment to engage with other children in play and friendship, which is integral to cultivating love, happiness, and strength against fear.
This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.
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