Lisa Le is running Boston to promote diversity in sports
"Let’s support and make a call for more diverse role models."
In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon runners share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston.
Name: Lisa Le
Age: 43
From: New Berlin, Wis.
I hope to help inspire more diversity, equity, and inclusion in the sport of running, while raising funds to support Health Imperatives. Women minorities aren’t always represented in a lot of initiatives and the running community enough. All women should feel safe running. Let’s support and make a call for more diverse role models.
I always believe in giving back/paying it forward when you can. Therefore, after BQ’ing at the Tokyo Marathon in 2023, but missing this year’s cutoff time for entry, I remembered, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” I spent countless days and hours researching Boston Marathon charities for a cause I could relate to. Amazingly, I was accepted to run on behalf of Health Imperatives, an organization whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of low-income or vulnerable families and individuals in Southeastern Massachusetts.
What really resonated with me with this organization is their approach towards diversity, equity, and inclusion. Much like the sport of running, where many of us are continuously working on making everyone, especially women and minorities, feel safe and welcomed, Health Imperatives does this through their services, such as providing support for women and other individuals who are victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking. Additionally, many of us may have our own health issues, and not all are visible ones.
I find that running is a great outlet to not only prove to yourself that you are stronger than you think, but you never know who might be following your journey and how you may be inspiring them. Thank you to my friends, family, teammates and even anonymous donors, for your support to help get me to the Boston Marathon start line and finish safely.
Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.
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