For her fifth Boston Marathon, she is supporting Team With A Vision

Rebecca Trachsel is running for Team With A Vision and will guide Jared Broughton, a low-vision runner from Canada.

March 11, 2025

1 minute to read

In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon athletes share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston.

Name: Rebecca Trachsel
Age: 50
City: Winchester, Mass.

For me, running the Boston Marathon has always been about more than just the race. It’s an opportunity to support an important cause and help a fellow athlete reach their goals. This April, I’ll be running my fifth Boston Marathon with Team With A Vision (TWAV) as I guide Jared Broughton, a runner with low vision from Gatineau, Canada.

I’ve been part of Team With A Vision for several years, and I’m incredibly proud to support the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI). This organization provides life-changing resources to individuals with blindness and low vision, helping them maintain independence and an active lifestyle. Running with TWAV allows me to give back to a community that means so much to me.

This year’s race is especially meaningful because Jared and I share a similar experience — we both struggled through the 2024 Boston Marathon due to tough conditions. When his guide from last year couldn’t return, TWAV introduced us, and I knew right away we’d be a great match. Our main goal for 2025 is simple: to enjoy the experience and run a strong race together.

Guiding requires trust, communication, and teamwork, and while Jared and I won’t have the chance to train together in person, we’re staying in close contact about pacing, race strategy, and synchronization to ensure we’re ready on race day.

With just over seven weeks to go, I couldn’t be more excited for the challenge ahead. Running with Team With A Vision is an incredible way to give back to the Boston running community while supporting a cause that has a lasting impact. I can’t wait to line up in Hopkinton with Jared and take on this iconic race together!

Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.