Fund Launching In Honor Of Long-time Boston Marathon Supporter

NEWTON, MA — A fund in honor of a long-time Boston Marathon supporter is erecting a landmark at a popular location along the upcoming event’s route.

The Susan Hurley memorial bench is slated to be adjacent to the Johnny Kelley statue in Newton before the marathon takes off on Monday, April 20. Hurley died on November 1, 2025 after a hard-fought battle with ovarian cancer. The North Andover resident was most known for being the founder of CharityTeams, which has worked to connect endurance athletes with nonprofit causes and helped runners and charities raise large amounts of money since its inception in 2008. The bench is the first of what The Susan Hurley Fund hopes will be many projects that work to foster connection, personal growth, and community impact. Fund Manager Carly Spigel has spent her career working in the nonprofit sector and currently serves as Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives within the philanthropy team at the University of Maryland Medicine. In addition, she is also the daughter of Hurley’s fiancé, Barry Foland.

“Susan had a rare gift for making people feel seen, supported, and capable of more than they believed possible. We are honored to launch this fund in her memory and to carry forward the energy, encouragement, and sense of community she so passionately cultivated,” Spigel said. “We are deeply grateful for the meaningful contributions already made in her name, and we look forward to sharing the many ways it will keep her spirit active and visible in the lives of the people and communities she loved.”

The Susan Hurley Fund launch ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, March 28 at the John Kelley statue on the corner of Walnut Street and Commonwealth Avenue in Newton at 8 a.m. The fund aims to have the bench installed come Marathon Monday, however it is not expected to be complete for the event this weekend. Featured guests expected to attend the ceremony include Governor Maura Healey, Newton Mayor Marc Laredo, and President & CEO of the Boston Athletic Association Jack Fleming. Directly following the brief event, CharityTeams’ traditional 21-mile Boston Marathon run that brings together charity runners to train will begin.

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