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Why this ICU nurse is running the 2026 Boston Marathon to support trauma recovery
Erin Daniel is running the 2026 Boston Marathon for Brigham and Women's Hospital's Stepping Strong 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: Erin Daniel
Age: 25
From: Mansfield
Running. Putting one foot in front of the other. We take it for granted, but in turn it is a privilege.
As a new nurse in the Trauma/Surgical ICU at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, I am reminded every day of how quickly that privilege can be taken away. Patients who suffer sudden, life altering injuries face immense physical and emotional challenges, and it is often only through cutting edge research and innovation that they are given the chance to reclaim their lives.
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Gillian Reny’s story deeply inspired me. Her resilience, paired with the dedication of the Reny Family and the Stepping Strong Foundation, demonstrates the power of turning tragedy into a force for hope and healing.
What began as one young woman’s fight to walk again has grown into a movement that advances trauma research, education, and care for patients like the ones I now serve every day. By supporting the Stepping Strong mission, I see firsthand how lives are changed. With the help of the Reny Family and the Foundation, more of my patients will be able to experience better outcomes, regain mobility, and find hope in their recovery.
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Running the Boston Marathon with the Stepping Strong team, for me, not only honors Gillian’s incredible journey, but also allows me to connect my work in the ICU to a broader mission — one that brings healing beyond the hospital walls.
Running for Stepping Strong is more than a race; it’s a way to advocate for every patient who dreams of walking, running, and living fully again. To me, this marathon is not just about miles, it’s about honoring resilience, fueling innovation, and carrying forward a mission of hope.
Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.
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