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Why a 35-year-old breast cancer survivor is running the Boston Marathon
The 2026 Boston Marathon will be Julia Aldrich's fourth marathon, but first for charity. Why she's running for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
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: Julia Aldrich
Age: 35
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
The Boston Marathon will be my fourth marathon, but my first time running for charity.
At 32, I was shocked to learn I had breast cancer. An avid runner, I got back to racing with a half marathon just 8 weeks after my double mastectomy. Seven months later, I ran the Marine Corps Marathon, because life is short, fear is overrated, and running was the only thing that seemed to stop the barrage of “what ifs” coursing through my mind.
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Now, three years later, I am thrilled to fundraise for an institution that had a hand in my own care and one that offers hope to so many people every day. We are always stronger when we collaborate, and the Dana-Farber team is proof of that. I am honored to run in order to raise money for critical cancer research, and I’m proud to do so as a breast cancer survivor!
Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.
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