Meet the 2018 Xtra Mile Boston Marathon Team helping us to celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of the Special Olympics Movement by running 26.2 miles for inclusion!

Marissa Malboeuf is just one of the runners on our 26 member Boston Marathon team who's not only making a difference for in the lives of our athletes in 2018, but will have a lasting impact on Special Olympics Massachusetts that will help our movement and organization continue to support the athletes of today and tomorrow as we look forward towards the next 50 years of sports opportunities and inclusion!

Read on to learn more about Marissa!

Where did you grow up? ''I grew up in Westford, Massachusetts. Currently still live there"

‍What do you do for work? How does this influence your experience with Special Olympics? ''I work for Lowell Public Schools currently as a Special Education Teacher for students with Autism grades 2^nd-4^th grade. My love for students with disabilities influenced my decision to run for Special Olympics because I know how important it is for my students to be a part of an inclusive community."

‍Do you have any connection to Boston - If so, tell me about it (i.e. from Boston, moved for school or a job, or just want to run!) ''I have always lived in MA and grown up going to the city. For the past few years I have always gone into the city for the marathon and gone to the Patriot's Day Red Sox Game and then gone down to cheer on the marathoners. Such a special day in the city!"

‍What does Special Olympics mean to you? ''Special Olympics is such an important organization to raise money for because it gives an opportunity to so many children to feel part of something bigger. Special Olympics allows these families to have a place to feel included and welcomed and gives these children an opportunity to have fun and engage in activities they would have not been able to otherwise."

‍Have you run a marathon before? ''No this is my first marathon"

‍What made you decide to run the Boston Marathon? ''I have always grown up attending and watching the Boston Marathon and it has always been a dream to be able to run it and running it for a special organization makes it much more worth it!!!"

‍How are you training for this 26.2 mile run? Have you run into any obstacles (literally and figuratively)?  ''I have loved training for the marathon! During the weekdays it has been very manageable and I have truly LOVED going to the long runs at Heartbreak Hill Running Club! Getting to meet and be supported by such great people has truly made the entire tough process that much more manageable!!"

‍What's the craziest thing on your bucket list? What on your bucket list that you've done that you are most proud of? ''Running the marathon is top on my bucket list but as of now the thing I am proudest of is probably running my first half marathon 2 years ago. It was something I had never done before but I put the time and training in and it is what has made me love running and showed me I was capable of doing a full marathon!"

‍Do you have a motto? ''If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you"

‍Support Marissa in her Fundraising Efforts Today!

‍Want to run, bike, or compete in a triathlon to support Special Olympics Massachusetts? Join the Xtra Mile Today!