Meet the 2024 Boston Marathon Xtra Mile Team

February 20, 2024

For more information on each runner, click into their name highlighted in red!

Andrew Amendola

Andrew is the Chief of Police for Carlisle, MA and a big supporter of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics! He is running the 128th Boston Marathon to help continue law enforcement’s partnership and strengthen public awareness for Special Olympics MA.

Macey Auger

Macey is a Special Education teacher who is excited to run the Boston Marathon while supporting a nonprofit organization that has had such a positive impact on many of her students.

Alfred Barney

Alfred is a Research Technician at Mass General Hospital and has been involved in the broader special needs community for the past eleven years—acting as the president of Best Buddies at his high school and college and volunteering countless times for Special Olympics.

Bonnie Bence

Bonnie is returning to the Special Olympics MA Xtra Mile Team for the third consecutive year! She is a 17-time Boston Marathon Runner and is thrilled to return to Boston and complete her 18th Boston marathon.

Craig Calcasola

Craig is the proud father of a Special Olympics athlete, Co-Chair of Special Olympics North Carolina Golf, and on the Steering Committee for Special Olympics Mecklenburg County (NC).  Craig is excited to wear the Xtra Mile singlet and represent the mission of Special Olympics.

Alyssa Cidade

Alyssa has previously run local races in support of Special Olympics, as many people in her life are connected to the mission. Alyssa is running the Boston Marathon to support Special Olympics MA and her colleague Dave, whose brother is a Special Olympics athlete! 

Christine DiMare

Christine is returning to the Boston Marathon Xtra Mile Team for the 2nd year in a row! She has worked with Special Olympics MA in many different capacities over the last 20 years and is thrilled to challenge her running efforts while supporting the programming Special Olympics provides to people with ID.

Brian Dunkin

Brian is the Chief Medical Officer of Endoscopy at Boston Scientific and is working with four other Boston Sci runners to initiate a division-wide campaign to raise money for Special Olympics MA.  

Dan Dzina

Dan is the Chief Operating Officer at Cosan Group and is excited to be running in support of Special Olympics MA.

Jay Ernst

Jay is the Territory Manager at Boston Scientific and is thrilled to support an organization that his other family members are tied to—his Godfather coaches Special Olympic PA athletes in powerlifting!

Steven Fransblow

Steven is the Chief Data Officer of ezCater and also serves on the Special Olympics MA Board of Directors. This is second time running the Boston Marathon on the Xtra Mile Team and can’t wait to sport the Special Olympics MA singlet and support the mission.

Katia Gaffney

After attending the Boston Jolly Jaunt and falling in love with the Xtra Mile community, Katia is returning as a member of the Boston Marathon Team! She has been a competitive athlete her whole life and loves how Special Olympics offers high-level athletic experiences for people with ID.

Derrah Gousie

Derrah is the Manager of Sales Training at Boston Scientific and is thrilled to run in support of her daughter who has Down Syndrome. Her family has participated in the "My First Experience" and Special Olympics Young Athlete programs and Derrah hopes to raise money to expand experiences like these.

Robert Haneisen

Robert and his family have been involved with Special Olympics for over a decade—with Rob being a Special Olympics coach and his son an athlete. Rob is so dedicated to running and fitness that even in the winter, he will bring his Special Olympics walking/fitness club inside a mall to get their steps in!

Michael Heberlein

Having served as a former middle school teacher and high school baseball coach, Mike has seen the far-reaching positive effects that athletics can have on an individual's life. Mike is running his first marathon and feels it is an honor to raise funds for Special Olympics MA.  

David Hunt

Brother to our very own CEO Mary Beth McMahon, David is excited for him and his co-workers to create positive change and spread inclusion by running the 128th Boston Marathon as a part of the Xtra Mile Team.

Melanie Joseph

This will be Melanie’s 3rd marathon after running the Philadelphia Marathon in 2021 and New York City Marathon in 2022. Born and raised in Natick MA, Melanie is most excited to pass through her hometown, where she spent many years cheering on other runners, including her father.

Johanna Lamoureux

Johanna is thrilled to continue her family's legacy with Special Olympics by running the 2024 Boston Marathon! Johanna remembers attending Special Olympics events with her uncle, James W. Hamilton, who was a Special Olympics athlete throughout the 80s and 90s.

Jayme Leschly

Jayme is a Health Prevention Specialist at Ryan Health who has volunteered with Special Olympics MA since her first-year in high school. She has helped run a Young Athletes program in Weston in addition to supporting multiple events alongside her younger sister, Matti.

Gregory Leslie

Gregory is the Director of Engineering for Cosan Group and supports Special Olympics MA’s efforts to not only work on the “hard skills” with athletes, but to also give them opportunities to grow in their social and cognitive skills and is grateful to give back to the mission.

Indu Manikkam

Indu is a Human Resources Recruiting Coordinator at ADT Security Services whose childhood was filled with countless volunteer hours at Special Olympics events. She is continuing to blend her love of running with philanthropy, as she previously ran the 2011 New York City Marathon, raising funds for Back on My Feet, and the 2023 London Marathon for Young Lives Vs Cancer.

Joe McCarthy

Joe has been an avid member of Special Olympics MA’s Xtra Mile Team, running the Falmouth Road Race in 2019 and 2023. He is also the founder of The McCarthy Collective, which back in the early 90s provided Joe with the opportunity to support pro-bono work for Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver and other Special Olympics delegations around the country.

Lisa Owens

Lisa is a SVP Client Ops at Cosan Group and is excited to be running in support of Special Olympics Massachusetts.

Ian Pinner

Ian is returning to the Special Olympics MA Boston Marathon Xtra Mile team for a second time! He’s excited to once again wear the Special Olympics singlet and support the mission through the 128th Boston Marathon.

Kelsie Rainone

Kelsie is back and ready to run the Boston Marathon with Special Olympics MA for a SECOND time! With a Boston Marathon and two Falmouth Road Races under her belt, Kelsie feels that she is very connected with Special Olympics and is excited to continue to support the mission.

Eric Spindt

From his first introduction to Special Olympics where he watched his sister compete as an athlete, to now serving as the Board Chair for Special Olympics MA, Eric is thrilled to run the Boston Marathon in support of a cause that has been an integral part of his life.

Vinse Sullivan

Vinse is the Region Manager of Endoscopy at Boston Scientific and is excited to join his co-workers in running for Special Olympics MA.

David Swillium

Having a brother with down syndrome taught David the importance of supporting organizations in and around New England that have helped his brother to socialize, exercise, and to be seen. He’s excited to run as a member of the Xtra Mile Team and support the Special Olympics MA mission.

Jennifer Tullio

Jennifer is proud to run the Boston Marathon while raising money for a non-profit that helps children like her own—her son has Duchenne Syndrome and has been participating in sports despite his disability. Jennifer wants to help others do the same!

Rebecca Walsh

Rebecca has friends and family who are impacted by various disabilities, causing them to face daily challenges. As a Boston Scientific employee, Rebecca is dedicated to transforming lives through innovative medical solutions that improve the health of patients around the world.

Brody Whetzel

Brody consistently dedicates his time to bringing inclusion to his community. Not only did he create a Unified Summer Program for students in his school district, but he also worked alongside his Vice President for School Partnerships and Youth Outreach in creating Unified events for students during COVID-19 school closures.

For more information on each runner, click into their name highlighted in red!

Andrew Amendola

Andrew is the Chief of Police for Carlisle, MA and a big supporter of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics! He is running the 128th Boston Marathon to help continue law enforcement’s partnership and strengthen public awareness for Special Olympics MA.

Macey Auger

Macey is a Special Education teacher who is excited to run the Boston Marathon while supporting a nonprofit organization that has had such a positive impact on many of her students.

Alfred Barney

Alfred is a Research Technician at Mass General Hospital and has been involved in the broader special needs community for the past eleven years—acting as the president of Best Buddies at his high school and college and volunteering countless times for Special Olympics.

Bonnie Bence

Bonnie is returning to the Special Olympics MA Xtra Mile Team for the third consecutive year! She is a 17-time Boston Marathon Runner and is thrilled to return to Boston and complete her 18th Boston marathon.

Craig Calcasola

Craig is the proud father of a Special Olympics athlete, Co-Chair of Special Olympics North Carolina Golf, and on the Steering Committee for Special Olympics Mecklenburg County (NC).  Craig is excited to wear the Xtra Mile singlet and represent the mission of Special Olympics.

Alyssa Cidade

Alyssa has previously run local races in support of Special Olympics, as many people in her life are connected to the mission. Alyssa is running the Boston Marathon to support Special Olympics MA and her colleague Dave, whose brother is a Special Olympics athlete! 

Christine DiMare

Christine is returning to the Boston Marathon Xtra Mile Team for the 2nd year in a row! She has worked with Special Olympics MA in many different capacities over the last 20 years and is thrilled to challenge her running efforts while supporting the programming Special Olympics provides to people with ID.

Brian Dunkin

Brian is the Chief Medical Officer of Endoscopy at Boston Scientific and is working with four other Boston Sci runners to initiate a division-wide campaign to raise money for Special Olympics MA.  

Dan Dzina

Dan is the Chief Operating Officer at Cosan Group and is excited to be running in support of Special Olympics MA.

Jay Ernst

Jay is the Territory Manager at Boston Scientific and is thrilled to support an organization that his other family members are tied to—his Godfather coaches Special Olympic PA athletes in powerlifting!

Steven Fransblow

Steven is the Chief Data Officer of ezCater and also serves on the Special Olympics MA Board of Directors. This is second time running the Boston Marathon on the Xtra Mile Team and can’t wait to sport the Special Olympics MA singlet and support the mission.

Katia Gaffney

After attending the Boston Jolly Jaunt and falling in love with the Xtra Mile community, Katia is returning as a member of the Boston Marathon Team! She has been a competitive athlete her whole life and loves how Special Olympics offers high-level athletic experiences for people with ID.

Derrah Gousie

Derrah is the Manager of Sales Training at Boston Scientific and is thrilled to run in support of her daughter who has Down Syndrome. Her family has participated in the "My First Experience" and Special Olympics Young Athlete programs and Derrah hopes to raise money to expand experiences like these.

Robert Haneisen

Robert and his family have been involved with Special Olympics for over a decade—with Rob being a Special Olympics coach and his son an athlete. Rob is so dedicated to running and fitness that even in the winter, he will bring his Special Olympics walking/fitness club inside a mall to get their steps in!

Michael Heberlein

Having served as a former middle school teacher and high school baseball coach, Mike has seen the far-reaching positive effects that athletics can have on an individual's life. Mike is running his first marathon and feels it is an honor to raise funds for Special Olympics MA.  

David Hunt

Brother to our very own CEO Mary Beth McMahon, David is excited for him and his co-workers to create positive change and spread inclusion by running the 128th Boston Marathon as a part of the Xtra Mile Team.

Melanie Joseph

This will be Melanie’s 3rd marathon after running the Philadelphia Marathon in 2021 and New York City Marathon in 2022. Born and raised in Natick MA, Melanie is most excited to pass through her hometown, where she spent many years cheering on other runners, including her father.

Johanna Lamoureux

Johanna is thrilled to continue her family's legacy with Special Olympics by running the 2024 Boston Marathon! Johanna remembers attending Special Olympics events with her uncle, James W. Hamilton, who was a Special Olympics athlete throughout the 80s and 90s.

Jayme Leschly

Jayme is a Health Prevention Specialist at Ryan Health who has volunteered with Special Olympics MA since her first-year in high school. She has helped run a Young Athletes program in Weston in addition to supporting multiple events alongside her younger sister, Matti.

Gregory Leslie

Gregory is the Director of Engineering for Cosan Group and supports Special Olympics MA’s efforts to not only work on the “hard skills” with athletes, but to also give them opportunities to grow in their social and cognitive skills and is grateful to give back to the mission.

Indu Manikkam

Indu is a Human Resources Recruiting Coordinator at ADT Security Services whose childhood was filled with countless volunteer hours at Special Olympics events. She is continuing to blend her love of running with philanthropy, as she previously ran the 2011 New York City Marathon, raising funds for Back on My Feet, and the 2023 London Marathon for Young Lives Vs Cancer.

Joe McCarthy

Joe has been an avid member of Special Olympics MA’s Xtra Mile Team, running the Falmouth Road Race in 2019 and 2023. He is also the founder of The McCarthy Collective, which back in the early 90s provided Joe with the opportunity to support pro-bono work for Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver and other Special Olympics delegations around the country.

Lisa Owens

Lisa is a SVP Client Ops at Cosan Group and is excited to be running in support of Special Olympics Massachusetts.

Ian Pinner

Ian is returning to the Special Olympics MA Boston Marathon Xtra Mile team for a second time! He’s excited to once again wear the Special Olympics singlet and support the mission through the 128th Boston Marathon.

Kelsie Rainone

Kelsie is back and ready to run the Boston Marathon with Special Olympics MA for a SECOND time! With a Boston Marathon and two Falmouth Road Races under her belt, Kelsie feels that she is very connected with Special Olympics and is excited to continue to support the mission.

Eric Spindt

From his first introduction to Special Olympics where he watched his sister compete as an athlete, to now serving as the Board Chair for Special Olympics MA, Eric is thrilled to run the Boston Marathon in support of a cause that has been an integral part of his life.

Vinse Sullivan

Vinse is the Region Manager of Endoscopy at Boston Scientific and is excited to join his co-workers in running for Special Olympics MA.

David Swillium

Having a brother with down syndrome taught David the importance of supporting organizations in and around New England that have helped his brother to socialize, exercise, and to be seen. He’s excited to run as a member of the Xtra Mile Team and support the Special Olympics MA mission.

Jennifer Tullio

Jennifer is proud to run the Boston Marathon while raising money for a non-profit that helps children like her own—her son has Duchenne Syndrome and has been participating in sports despite his disability. Jennifer wants to help others do the same!

Rebecca Walsh

Rebecca has friends and family who are impacted by various disabilities, causing them to face daily challenges. As a Boston Scientific employee, Rebecca is dedicated to transforming lives through innovative medical solutions that improve the health of patients around the world.

Brody Whetzel

Brody consistently dedicates his time to bringing inclusion to his community. Not only did he create a Unified Summer Program for students in his school district, but he also worked alongside his Vice President for School Partnerships and Youth Outreach in creating Unified events for students during COVID-19 school closures.

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