Russell Tanguay is running for the American Liver Foundation after almost dying from an infection

"I'm still here and can breathe. So, why not run a marathon in Boston?"

March 5, 2020

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 #WhyImRunningBoston story here.

Name: Russell Tanguay
Age: 35
From: Boston, Massachusetts

After almost dying from a liver infection, Russell Tanguay is running the Boston Marathon for the American Liver Foundation.

January 27, 2017: Almost died as a result of complications from a bacterial infection in my liver.

February 2017: Left hospital.

April 1, 2017: Finished formal treatment.

October 7, 2018: Ran my first marathon!

April 20, 2020: Running my 6th marathon in my home city – BOSTON!

I’ve always worn my heart on my sleeve and I’m an open book. Since then, I’ve done my best to surround myself with those individuals that make me a better person and making the most of every second. Cliche? Maybe. But it’s genuine and real.

I’m running the with the American Liver Foundation Liver Life Challenge because it is so personal to me in my current home city of Boston. Not because I am capable, but because I can. I’m still here and can breathe. So, why not run a marathon in Boston?

I’ve never been able to pinpoint exactly “why” I started running, but someone I met while I was in Germany for the Berlin Marathon hit the nail on the head: “I don’t really know what happened, but you fell severely ill sometime early 2017. It was probably a rather harsh awakening for your family and especially yourself, being confronted with the own impermanence. You did recover, yet the experience did change you to a certain extent. Recovery, regaining strength has been a process and running has come to symbolize that process. Pushing yourself to reach your own goals, maybe even the pain you feel during these runs, show you that you can achieve things, and reach goals. And in the end, make you feel alive.”

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