Scott MacArthur is running to support his sister’s battle with cancer

"I took this as an opportunity to get healthy myself and fundraise for cancer research along the way."

April 7, 2024

1 minute to read

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: Scott MacArthur
Age: 37
From: St. Louis, Mo.

My reason for running the Boston Marathon is really attributed to two significant and influential people in my life.

Growing up, my dad always would sign myself and my two sisters up for 5k’s and while I was a terrible runner and hated every second of running, my dad would always come back for me and push me to achieve my goals.

When I was 13, my dad passed away from cancer. To this day, he continues to push me to achieve my goals and carry me over every finish line of life I have encountered.

My sister ran her first marathon when she was 15 years old, being one of the youngest to ever run the St. Louis Marathon.

In 2021, my sister was diagnosed with Cancer… and even with three young kids, she never let cancer get in the way of living her life and fighting off this terrible illness.

My sister’s cancer diagnosis was something that impacted my whole family given losing my dad at a young age to cancer as well. I took this as an opportunity to get healthy myself and fundraise for cancer research along the way.

In the last two years, I have run three marathons, and raised over $25k for cancer research. I am beyond excited to be running for the Mass General Pediatric Cancer Team!

Boston for me is a huge challenge that only the few can say they have been able to take on, and I am inspired and driven to run Boston thanks to two of the heroes in my life!

Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.