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She’s running Boston on her dad’s birthday — for two lives lost
Michelle Merrill is running the 2026 Boston Marathon with Tedy’s Team in memory of her father and brother, raising money for stroke and heart disease patients.
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: Michelle Merrill
Age: 56
City and State: Broadview Heights, OH
I’m running the 2026 Boston Marathon with Tedy’s Team to celebrate the lives of my dad and my brother. My dad died in 2023 from a sudden stroke, and in 2021, my brother died at 48 years of age from a blood clot. Both sudden losses have been devastating to my family. There is not a day that goes by where I don’t miss them, especially their dry wit and sarcastic sense of humor. I feel that running in 2026 is meant to be – the race is being held on my dad’s birthday.
Running has been a part of my life since middle school. I have never been a fast runner, but running has always been my outlet for maintaining my mental health – when dealing with the ups and downs, the victories and disappointments that inevitably come with life. I have run several marathons in the past just for me – but now it seems fitting to run for something bigger than just myself.
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I’m drawn to the Boston Marathon because I grew up in New England and it was the first marathon I ever spectated when I was a freshman in high school. At that time, I was not aware of the charity arm of the BAA, so I thought that running Boston would be impossible for me as a slower runner.
Even though my dad and brother were not regular runners, we did bond over running on several occasions. My brother and I ran a half marathon together about a year after he had brain surgery. And my dad always supported my running– he especially loved traveling to spectate in Las Vegas.
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Providing support to families and patients impacted by stroke or heart disease is the mission of Tedy’s Team, and I’m excited to be on this team!
Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.
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