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Boston College senior running Boston Marathon to support first responders
Boston College senior Merideth Greene is honoring firefighters and supporting the Last Call Foundation's mission.
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: Merideth Greene
Age: 22
From: Watertown
My name is Merideth Greene, and I’m a senior at Boston College. Running the Boston Marathon has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. Every Patriots’ Day, my family and I stood on Heartbreak Hill cheering on runners, handing out water and orange slices, and soaking in the energy of Marathon Monday. Even as a child, I remember thinking, one day, that will be me. Running has been a passion of mine for years, but Boston has always felt personal.
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That personal connection deepened in 2013. Growing up in Watertown, the Marathon bombing and the days that followed were frightening and confusing. But, what has stayed with me over the years is not the fear, it’s the courage. I remember the strength and selflessness of the first responders who ran toward danger, especially the Boston Fire Department. When the suspect was found just a block from my home, my dad lifted me onto his shoulders as a parade of local police officers and firefighters drove down Mount Auburn Street in Watertown. I felt so grateful to be part of a community protected by such extraordinary people.
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I am honored to run for the Last Call Foundation. Learning about the legacy of Michael Kennedy and the Foundation’s mission deeply moved me. Firefighters face immense risk every day, including dangerous environmental exposures that contribute to disproportionately high cancer rates. Preventive care and protective equipment are critical, LCF’s commitment to cancer screenings, safer gear, and advocacy for firefighter health truly protects those who protect us.
Running Boston with this organization is more than fulfilling a lifelong dream, it’s a way to give back to the heroes who shaped my community and my values. I am incredibly humbled to run in support of the Last Call Foundation.
Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.
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