Basking Ridge Runner To Race In Boston Marathon In Honor Of Grandma For Cancer Research

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Running for Angela Singh of Basking Ridge originally started as a weight loss journey, which evolved into a passion. Running then turned into a way to give back while also honoring her grandma.

On April 21, Singh will be running as a member of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team in the 129th Boston Marathon for cancer research.

One hundred percent of the money raised by the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team benefits Dana-Farber’s Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research, which supports promising science research in its earliest stages.

"I always try to run for a cancer charity, just because I had a couple family members affected by cancer. A lot of my friends and colleagues have had people affected," said Singh.

However, Singh's main motivation for this race is her grandma, who died from cancer.

"That was one of the reasons why I applied, because I was like, I want to run this for her.," said Singh. "I had a really strong bond with her, and... if she knew I was running - she never knew I had started running - so she would have been really excited for me. And I just want to honor her by running for her."

Singh began running in 2016 as a motivation for weight loss. She would sign up for virtual runs and run a distance and they would send her a medal.

Wanting more, Singh completed her first in-person race in New York.

"That was my first ever race that I got a medal in. I was like, 'Okay, well, now I feel really accomplished. Let's keep going here'," said Singh.

Then Singh couldn't stop. She went from running a 5K to a 10-miler to a half marathon and eventually running the New York City Marathon in 2017.

"I still remember crossing that finish line. It was one of the happiest moments I've ever had. I still remember that. I know I was tearing up and like sobbing, but looking back, it was one of the happiest moments ever," said Singh.

Challenging herself Singh decided to earn the Six Star Medal given by the Abbott World Marathon Majors to honor the runners who complete the original six Major Marathons - Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City.

For Singh, Boston is the final race she must complete to earn the Six Star Medal.

For her run for Dana-Farber, Singh is pledging to raise $20,000 "because I wanted to make an impact with my miles and the fundraising this year."

To donate to Singh's efforts for the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge, visit danafarber.jimmyfund.org.

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