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Turning 40 made her discover running. Ten years later, she’s running Boston.
"Running became a lifeline and an outlet for me."
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: Melissa Rousselle
Age: 50
From: Haverhill
I am running the 2026 Boston Marathon for Rebekah’s Angels Foundation to both mark the milestone of turning 50 and honor my own personal journey of living with depression and anxiety since childhood. As an organization that helps provide children and families who have experienced trauma with support to receive much needed therapy, Rebekah’s Angels Foundation has deep personal significance to me.
When I turned 40, I discovered running — and it changed everything. Running became a lifeline and an outlet for me. This year, I’m celebrating how far I’ve come and the role that running has played in my healing over the last decade. I’m also proving to myself and others that it’s never too late to reach for new goals and no matter how hard things may seem today, just keep going! Forward is a pace.
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Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.
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