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How Hopkinton’s theater community inspired one woman to run the Boston Marathon
This mom of four is fundraising for the Hopkinton Center for the Arts — the community that made Boston feel like home after moving from the Midwest.
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: Carla Perrotta
Age: 45
From: Lexington
I’m running to support the Hopkinton Center of the Arts (“HCA”). The HCA holds a special place in my heart. I moved to the Boston area from the Midwest in 2016. The HCA is home to the Enter Stage Left theater (“ESL”), where I was cast in my first community theater production here (Of Mice and Men).
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The ESL and HCA provide a safe space for people of all ages and abilities to express themselves through various art forms. The arts are vital to humanity, especially in these uncertain and challenging times. I have four daughters (ages 17, 15, 13 and 3) and I want them to live in a country and world that values the arts, community, and human connection.
I ran my first Boston Marathon in 2018 because I felt compelled to support the arts at that time and I feel the same compulsion (perhaps with more urgency) to support the arts even more in 2026. My experience in 2018 was amazing — one of the best days of my life! It was the year Des Linden won (a fellow Midwesterner!) and the weather was extremely challenging (cold! wind! rain!) but it made completing the marathon all the sweeter.
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I’m hoping for better weather this year. Rain or shine, I will be pouring everything I have into the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston! It’s the 130th Boston Marathon and the 250th year of these United States! I can’t think of a better milestone year to run Boston.
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