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This UMass runner is lacing up to raise money for ALS research

"I grew up watching countless Boston Marathons on the Beacon Street bridge and I always used to think how amazing of an experience it must be as a runner."

March 30, 2022

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. If you’re running the marathon, you can share your story here.

Annie Madden is running for the Mass General Hospital ER team

Name: Maddy Jaroch
Age: 19
From: Acton

I started running 5Ks when I was in third grade, so I have always had a passion for running.

However, it was not until my junior year of high school, when school shut down due to Covid that I started taking running seriously. Soon after I began focusing more time on running, I added running the Boston Marathon to my bucket list.

I grew up watching countless Boston Marathons on the Beacon Street bridge and I always used to think how amazing of an experience it must be as a runner. Now as a freshman in college, I am so excited and honored to not only have the opportunity to run the marathon but to do it for an incredible cause.

I am running for the UMass ALS Cellucci Fund which helps to fund groundbreaking research into the uncured disease. UMass has credit for a number of breakthroughs in ALS research and they continue to get closer to one day finding a cure.

I cannot wait for race day in just under a month!

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