Sign up for our Boston Marathon newsletter
Get Boston Marathon registration information, start times, live runner tracking, road closures, live updates from race day, special features, and more.
She’s running the 2026 Boston Marathon to support kids with cancer
Kathleen Labrie is running the 2026 Boston Marathon for the Massachusetts General Hospital Pediatric Cancer team.
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: Kathleen Labrie
Age: 33
From: Southampton
I’m running with Mass General’s pediatric cancer team and I’ve adopted the motto: I Run For Them (IRFT).
Pediatric cancer touches so many lives and each connection has a unique story. With a donation, a donor can choose someone to honor with this run and add to the ever growing IRFT crew.
Advertisement:
While my journey to the 130th Boston Marathon started with my own personal link to pediatric cancer, it quickly developed into a community of warriors, survivors, angels, family, and friends who all have their own stories to share.
I run for Maddie, the 8-year-old who bravely fought DIPG. I run for Ashton, the 2-year-old who took on leukemia. I run for Kathy, who was incredibly thankful for the care she received at MGH. I run for Andy, the son taken too soon by lung cancer. I run for Meg, the spunky 15-year-old who battled juvenile Huntington’s disease with her dog Daisy by her side.
Advertisement:
Those are just a few glimpses into the lives of the ever growing list of honorees. As we inch closer and closer to the starting line, my reasons to run continue to grow. While my journey may have started with my own connection, now I have several reasons to keep working toward the finish line.
So why do I run? I run for them, and I would be honored to run for your reason why as well.
Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com