Robyn Gay-Jennings is running in memory of her friend Kayur Shah

"Once you were in K's circle of friends, you were family."

Robyn Gay-Jennings is running the Boston Marathon for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, in memory of her friend Kayur Shah. Robyn Gay-Jennings

By Madelaine Millar

March 9, 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: Robyn Gay-Jennings
Age: 38
From: Braintree, Massachusetts

I am running for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in honor of my dear friend, Kayur Shah. A dedicated, devoted, and loving husband of Chrissy Shah, father of four-year-old Lucas, son, brother, uncle, and friend who cared for everyone like family. He was a bright and energetic force who welcomed everyone into his circle. Chrissy, Kayur, my husband, Phil, and I would spend the weekends hanging out together with friends, laughing, eating, drinking and going on camping trips and hiking trips to New Hampshire. We were so excited to see our children grow up together and cause mayhem on our family trips, but unfortunately, Kayur will not be with us as Lucas and Owen grow older.

Kayur was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in January 2017. He bravely battled cancer and received innovative treatments that prolonged his life until he passed on June 17, 2019, the day after celebrating Father’s Day with his family at age 36.

Kayur is greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Once you were in K’s circle of friends, you were family. I am honored and humbled to be able to run the Boston Marathon with the DFMC team in Kayur’s honor. Kayur will always be with us, but the world is a little less bright without him here.

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