Readers Say

Ellenor Barish is running Boston to fight homelessness

"It will be an incredible honor to run the Boston Marathon wearing the Somerville Homeless Coalition's very first charity bib."

By James Bartlett

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: Ellenor Barish
Age: 44
From: Somerville

Ever since running the Boston Marathon in 2001, I have been saying I would run it again, but the motivation just wasn’t there.

Toward the end of January, I heard that the Somerville Homeless Coalition had a charity bib for the Boston Marathon and they needed a runner. I have been a fan of the SHC for years and I know the impact their work has on their clients and on the community.

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Here was an opportunity to support that work at a financial level that wasn’t possible for me as an individual. That was the marathon motivation I needed. Despite the short training and fundraising timeframe, I told the folks at the SHC that I was their runner if they would have me.

They did! It will be an incredible honor to run the Boston Marathon wearing the SHC’s very first charity bib. As I taper my mileage in preparation for Marathon Monday, I’m not backing off my fundraising in the least. Knowing the power of the work the folks at the SHC do, and understanding the ever-growing need, I initially set my fundraising goal at $10,000.

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The incredible generosity of family, friends, and strangers brought me to that goal with a month to go before the marathon. After learning last week about the SHC’s stretch goal of establishing an Engagement Center where clients can connect with staff, take a break from the elements, get a snack, store personal items, and more, I set my own stretch goal of raising an additional $2,500 in the 25 days that remained until the marathon. My running stretch goal is to beat my 2001 time of 3:47:11.

If you can help me get closer to that finish line, please donate.

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

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