This Boston Marathon runner is supporting the Matt Brown Foundation

"Through running, I learned how to sit with discomfort, push through doubt, and keep moving forward even when it felt hard."

April 14, 2026 | 7:00 AM

1 minute to read

In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon athletes share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston. Looking for more race day content? Sign up for Boston.com’s pop-up Boston Marathon newsletter.

Name: Jacqueline Pantoja
Age: 27
City: Atlanta, Ga.

Running didn’t just change my body. It changed the way I move through life. What began as a simple outlet became a source of healing, strength, and self trust. Through running, I learned how to sit with discomfort, push through doubt, and keep moving forward even when it felt hard.

The Boston Marathon represents the highest expression of that journey. Its history, grit, and unmatched community embody everything I believe running stands for. Earning the opportunity to toe the line in 2026 is deeply meaningful, not just as an athletic milestone, but as a reflection of perseverance and belief in myself.

I am running in support of the Matt Brown Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping individuals, families, and organizations living with or recovering from illness or injury, with a particular emphasis on paralysis. This matters to me because running didn’t just heal me. It rewired me. It taught me how to move through pain, rebuild trust in my body, and come back stronger.

The resilience of the running community and the mindset of “Never quit. Overcome. Forever forward.” fuel every step I take. Supporting those navigating injury or illness means everything to me, because I know firsthand that resilience is not a moment. It is a journey. Every step forward counts, whether on the road, at home, or in everyday life, and I am committed to making a difference through this race.

Boston is more than 26.2 miles. It is proof of what is possible when we refuse to quit.

Because forward is still forward, no matter how hard the road.

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

Are you running the 2026 Boston Marathon? Share your story with us.

Kelly Chan

Content Producer

Kelly Chan is a content producer at Boston.com. She designs multimedia content on site and across social media platforms, and experiments with new ways to engage readers.

Sign up for our Boston Marathon newsletter

Get Boston Marathon registration information, start times, live runner tracking, road closures, live updates from race day, special features, and more.