She’s running Boston for her ‘incredibly strong’ sister

Moira Sharkey is running the Boston Marathon for her sister Katie, who she lost to domestic violence in 2019.

Moira Sharkey

April 7, 2025

2 minutes 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. Looking for more race day content? Sign up for Boston.com’s pop-up Boston Marathon newsletter.

Name: Moira Sharkey
Age: 40
City/State: Medway, Mass.

I really hate running, but I love my sister, so on April 21st, I’m running all 26.2 miles for Katie. Our family lost Katie to domestic violence in July 2019, and each step on the road from Hopkinton to Boston will be to raise awareness in her name so that others can spot and stop abuse.

When Katie first disclosed what her husband of a decade had been doing to her, my parents and I were in disbelief. A close family, we saw Katie, her husband/abuser, and her children almost every day, but had no clue the type of emotional, financial, or physical abuse that he committed regularly. Katie was so incredibly strong, smart, and brave, and she did not want anyone else to carry the pain that she suffered. And, our family did not know what abuse really looks like or how to best support someone breaking free from it.

What we have learned is that abuse is all about power and control, and that a victim can never “just leave.” Domestic violence can be incredibly hard to talk about, but we have to teach people the warning signs, engage in candid conversations when we feel a loved one is being abused, and help create safety plans for victims to escape. When I run, I think of all the ways that I could have better supported my sister, and recommit myself to ensuring others do not suffer in silence like she did.

The Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation was born out of a similar tragedy in which male violence took Vanessa from her family and friends in August 2016. The foundation provides critical self-defense training, supports girls empowerment, and helps interrupt male violence by outreach to boys. It is an honor to represent this foundation in Boston, running for their Vanessa, for my Katie, and the collective future of women who can live free from violence.