Danvers Resident Running Boston Marathon For Northeast Arc

Danvers native, Donna Marden, is truly committed to supporting the Northeast Arc, the Danvers-

not-for-profit organization that helps children and adults with disabilities become full participants in the community.

Marden has worked for the Northeast Arc for 37 years. She started working in the Family Support Division before moving to the Day Services Division where she as worked for the past 35 years. "I have always wanted to run the Boston Marathon but the only way to get in for me was through a fundraising opportunity," said Donna Marden. "When the opportunity came up to run and raise money for an agency I have been a part of for all these years, it was the right time to do this."

Marden has been running for about five years and while this will be her first Boston Marathon, she ran the Chicago Marathon in 2016 and the New York Marathon in 2017.

"I am a member of the Wicked Running Club and have had support from many members," added Marden. "I have had opportunities to run my longer training runs on the marathon route from Wellesley, which will hopefully help on Marathon day with all the hills. I have also been training with runs around Marblehead Neck to get those hills in."

Though she hasn't run the legendary Boston course before, Marden has volunteered the past four years at the mile 17 gel stop with her running club. "Seeing that group at that time in the race will give me the boost to finish," said Marden. "I am looking forward to be part of the excitement of the race and to see familiar faces in the crowd."

To donate to Donna's fundraising efforts or those of the other two members of the Northeast Arc Marathon Team - Mike Gould and Shawn Ducrow - please visit http://tinyurl.com/NeArcMarath...