Zea McKenzie is running Boston in honor of loved ones lost to cancer

"From Hopkinton to Boston, Tyler will be the wind beneath my wings."

April 14, 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: Zea McKenzie
Age: 57
From: Randolph, New Jersey

I run because they can’t. Cancer has taken so much from me. My beloved mother, Dorothy, in July 2014 at age 83; my son, Tyler, in August 2022 at age 28; and my sister, June, in January 2023 at 62. I started running in 2016 to channel my grief. Little did I know I was building strength for something greater. When Tyler and June lost their battles within sic months of each other I knew I had to do something.

I established a memorial fund in my son’s honor and a charity team, Team T-Mac. I then set my sights on running the World Marathon Majors, choosing to raise funds for cancer centers pivotal to Tyler’s treatment during his six-year battle with kidney cancer. Tyler had a rare form of kidney cancer (translocation renal cell carcinoma). While he was being treated in New York, his oncologist assembled a co-hort of prestigious cancer centers across the country to consult on Tyler’s diagnosis, ensuring he had the best information available for his rare condition.

Dana-Farber was part of that cohort and I’m super excited to run the Boston Marathon for the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team. My hope is every dollar raised by Team T-Mac for the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team helps extend time a family has with their loved one stricken with this ugly disease. From Hopkinton to Boston, Tyler will be the wind beneath my wings.

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