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.
A decade after her father’s death, 24-year-old runs the Boston Marathon for grief support
Violet Morgan is running the 2026 Boston Marathon for The Children's Room.
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: Violet Morgan
Age: 24
From: Boston
I’m running the 2026 Boston Marathon with the Children’s Room in honor of my dad, John Morgan, who passed away in 2016 from colorectal cancer.
My dad was not particularly athletic, and while his passions leaned more toward the creative side, he was a fierce advocate for my brother and me to follow our passions. Strangely enough, running was not always one of mine.
Advertisement:
I grew up disliking running and eventually rowed at Tufts, one of the only sports you can do while sitting down, which was perfect for me. However, after graduating in 2024 and watching the Boston Marathon year after year as a college student, I felt inspired to give running a try. Much to my surprise, I fell in love with it, and after a couple of half marathons, I decided it was time to run Boston.
I’m running with the Children’s Room, a nonprofit that provides free grief programs, support services, and resources for children and teens ages 3.5 to 18 and families who have experienced the death of a parent or sibling, just like I did.
Advertisement:
I cannot express enough how important it is for kids to have support after a loss, and how powerful it can be to connect with others who truly understand. I wasn’t lucky enough to live in Boston and attend the Children’s Room myself, but I am honored to support the families who rely on it now and those who will need it in the future.
Through this race, I get to carry my dad with me on the 10-year anniversary of his death, give back to families walking a similar path, and turn loss into something that can help others heal.
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