Why I'm Running

Firefighter running back-to-back marathons to honor military members and their families

"These two days - April 19 and Marathon Monday - are about doing something hard on purpose."

Andrew Staruk is running the 2026 Tough Ruck race and the Boston Marathon. (Photo courtesy of Josh Milne)

By Annie Jonas

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: Andrew Staruk
Age: 39
From: Worcester

On Sunday, April 19, I’ll be rucking 26.2 miles in the Tough Ruck Marathon in Concord. The very next day (Monday), I’ll be lining up to run the Boston Marathon. Completing back-to-back marathons isn’t something I ever needed to do, but it’s something I feel strongly called to do: to test myself, and to show up for a cause that matters.

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I’m a Worcester firefighter and an Air Force veteran, and I’m from Worcester – so Boston has always felt like the marathon. It’s the one you grew up watching, the one that represents grit, consistency, and community. From Hopkinton to Boylston Street, it’s a statewide tradition. Earning the chance to run it is a huge personal milestone, and I don’t take it lightly.

Tough Ruck is a big part of the “why” behind this challenge. Rucking is a reminder that some people carry weight far heavier than a loaded pack – especially military members, first responders, and families of the fallen. Supporting Tough Ruck/Tough Ruck Nation gives my training a purpose beyond a finish time, and it keeps me accountable on the tough days when motivation is low.

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These two days – April 19 and Marathon Monday – are about doing something hard on purpose, and using that effort to honor service, sacrifice, and resilience. I’ll be exhausted, no doubt. But I’ll also be grateful for the chance to carry the mission forward.

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

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Annie Jonas

Annie Jonas is a Community writer at Boston.com. She was previously a local editor at Patch and a freelancer at the Financial Times.

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