2 West Hartford Residents Running Boston Marathon To Help Kids With Cancer

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Two West Hartford residents will take part in this year’s Boston Marathon as members of a charity team supporting cancer research.

Kelly Horan and Thomas Golembeski are scheduled to run April 20 as part of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge, a program of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The team includes more than 500 runners from across the United States and abroad and is expected to raise more than $8.75 million.

This year marks the 37th running of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge, the longest-running charity team associated with the Boston Marathon.

Organizers said 100% of funds raised support the institute’s Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research, which focuses on early-stage scientific work.

Since 1990, the program has received more than $140 million through the marathon effort.

Participants in the challenge include cancer survivors, patients, and supporters.

Runners who receive entries through Dana-Farber must raise at least $12,000, while those who secure their own race entries commit to raising a minimum of $4,000.

The Boston Marathon, organized by the Boston Athletic Association, follows a route from Hopkinton to Boston.

Dana-Farber’s team provides runners with fundraising assistance, training opportunities, and race-day support.

Former marathon champion Jack Fultz, marking the 50th anniversary of his 1976 Boston Marathon victory, will serve as the team’s training advisor for the 37th time, according to organizers.

To contribute to the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge, visit RunDFMC.org or contact the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge staff at (617) 632-1970 or dfmc@dfci.harvard.edu. Follow DFMC on Facebook: www.facebook/marathonchallenge.