Boston Marathon 2015 Runner Profile: Savanah Harshbarger, First-Time Boston Marathon Runner

Name: Savanah Harshbarger

Age: 22

Profession: Clinical Research Coordinator at the Massachusetts General Hospital Emergency Department

Marathon experience: I ran my first marathon this past October 2014 in Lowell, MA on a flat and friendly course (The Baystate Marathon), but this will be my first Boston Marathon.

Reason for running: Since starting work at the Emergency Department at MGH (a Level I Trauma Center), I’ve witnessed the traumas that come through these doors every day. I wanted to find a different way to give back to these patients and families, and with that in mind, I submitted an application to run with the MGH Marathon Team for Emergency Response. When I was accepted, it was a no-brainer. This was my year to run Boston.

Charity (if applicable): MGH Emergency Response Team

Training tip: First things first, you have to make it out of bed! This winter really put all of our training to the test, and nobody wants to go out in wind chills that make for negative digit weather. But if you bundle up, have a good laugh at how ridiculous this is, think about why you’re running, and realize that 30,000 other runners are going through the same thing, it not only makes it possible, but it makes it worth it.

Bib number: 29975