We are excited to announce our 2016 team running in the Boston Marathon on April 18th. This is an exceptional group of runners and fundraisers who have some very strong and unique connections to Special Olympics. Thanks to John Hancock for including us in the nonprofit program again in 2016. We are excited to be back for another year.
In 2015 over $130,000 was raised for Special Olympics Massachusetts. This year we are raising the ante, with a goal of $150,000. The money raised will directly fund over 385 athletes in 24 sports across all four seasons.
Doug Keith is a man who wears many hats within Special Olympics MA. Doug is heavily involved as a father of an athlete, board member, coach, volunteer, 2015 Special Olympics MA Boston Marathon team member (and more importantly, finisher) and so mush more! Doug works at GMO and resides in the North Andover area. Welcome back, Doug!
Shaw McKean is a new member to this year’s Marathon team, but is no stranger to Boston or marathons! Having attended college in the area, Boston is Shaw’s home away from home. In 2014, Shaw ran the New York City Marathon, very close to his Brooklyn residence, and is greatly looking forward to finishing Boston – Welcome, Shaw!
Ben Hamblen, another new member of the team, got involved with Special Olympics while working for MassMutual in Oregon several years back. It is through MassMutual’s special needs golf competition that Ben came to love the Special Olympics community. Ben is now local to the Newton area and works for Boston Commonwealth Financial Group. Ben came highly recommended by last year’s Boston Marathon runner and co-worker, Eric Spindt. We’re excited to have you on the team, Ben!
Patrice Glancy is no stranger to Special Olympics or the Boston Marathon. Patrice was one of the original Special Olympics MA marathon runners when we were granted John Hancock bib numbers in 2009, and she’s back for more this year. Patrice is in her 14th year as a special education teacher for students with autism spectrum disorder in Boston Public Schools and is a Special Olympics coach – Patrice has coached over 50 athletes in 9 years! Welcome Patrice!
Wendy Wyman, a new member of the team, is a well-seasoned runner with 6 marathons under her belt. Wendy has been involved with Special Olympics through her husband and brother-in-law over the years, but is excited to get more involved with Special Olympics MA since Massachusetts is her home away from home. Wendy resides in North Carolina, so we’re all allowed to be jealous of her this training season as we push through the snow and ice. Very excited to have you on board, Wendy!
Susan Freidus has been involved with Special Olympics over the last several years as a Jolly Jaunt 5k runner. While Susan is a seasoned ½ marathon runner, she is excited to make the leap to the full 26.2 miles with her first marathon experience! Susan grew up in Boston and has always had the dream of running the Boston Marathon. As a fitness coach, she is more than ready to hit the roads and get out there on behalf of all the Special Olympics MA athletes.
Jen Reilly has been involved with Special Olympics MA through her brother who is an athlete. Jen and her sister started the Cape Cod Champs Unified Special Olympics MA program that participates in flag football and volleyball. Jen, local to the Cape, has recently transitioned from a 7th grade history teacher to a special education teacher at Bourne Middle School. Jen ran on the 2015 Special Olympics MA Marathon team, and we’re very excited to have her back!
Eric Crews, a longtime supporter of Special Olympics MA, has run the 2010, 2012 and 2014 Boston Marathon with Special Olympics MA and is back for another season! Eric friends with an athlete’s father and hopes to keep running Boston for Special Olympics as long as his legs will let him! Glad to have you back, Eric!
Dawn Snow comes to us as a new member of the team, but a two time marathon runner overall. Dawn has been involved with both Special Olympics MA and the Boston Marathon as a medical volunteer and was inspired to join this year’s team when she saw Special Olympics MA athlete, Greg Schwartz, pass her medical tent in the 2015 Marathon. Dawn is excited to give back to the athletes as she crosses the Boston Marathon finish line herself!
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