Medford Resident Running Boston Marathon For Her Loved Ones

MEDFORD, MA — Becky Annacone went from being an “asthmatic couch potato” in her youth to running marathons around the country in support of those she loves most.

Obstacle course racing served as a gateway 10 years ago for the resident to find her true passion, and Annacone did not allow being nearly 40 years old stop her from going all-in with the athletic activity. One year ago however, her reason for running became much more serious when her husband, Jimmy, took ill and was diagnosed with ampullary adenocarcinoma, a rare form of cancer.

“He was diagnosed a year ago. He was run-down and nauseous, but the true warning sign was when he turned yellow because his bile duct was blocked,” Annacone told Patch. “He had surgery to remove the tumor, and chemo as a precaution, but it spread.”

Annacone added that he is currently working with doctors at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Chestnut Hill to come up with a new treatment plan. Not long after her husband started treatment, Annacone’s father died after a battle with bladder cancer.

"I’d drive for hundreds of miles every other weekend, trying to be there for them both," Annacone said. "I wanted to do something - anything - that would make a difference."

Annacone is running the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 20 raising money for Dana-Farber with the goal of raising $14,000. As of Thursday March 26, she has raised more than $9,500 on her fundraising website.

“Fundraising gives my miles meaning,” Annacone told Patch. “The response from the Medford community has been really positive. I've posted on a few community social pages, and I've also put a sign in front of my house and on my car. Neighbors have offered support and encouragement, and I've gotten to know more people.”

Annacone is working toward earning a marathon six-star medal, which requires running six different races.

“My first World Marathon Major was New York in 2024, so I've been seriously working on it for about two years. How long it takes depends on when I can get entries to the remaining races in Tokyo and London,” Annacone told Patch. “My stretch goal is to do them both in 2027 and get my Six-Star for my 50th birthday.”

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