Northport Teacher Raises Money For St. Jude Children's Hospital

NORTHPORT, NY — Maureen Edwards, an avid runner, legged out a very different race this year for the New York City marathon. Edwards, in addition to being a Norwood Avenue elementary school music teacher, has been a runner for 17 years and ran her first NYC Marathon in 2017, according to a news release from the Northport-East Northport School District.

Edwards has mastered the art of marathon running while raising money for a good cause in the process. Since her first marathon in 2017, Edwards has raised over $12,000 for St. Jude Children's Hospital, which treats children free of charge. The hospital relies on donations from people like Edwards, who raised more than $2,600 this year alone.

While the race this year was "virtual" and runners had to race individually, Edwards didn’t let that stop her spirit.

"It was very challenging to run a solitary marathon without the excitement and crowds of the usual NYC marathon," Edwards said via news release. "However, I was incredibly blessed with family support."

In addition to her children and husband cheering her on from the sidelines with words of encouragement, some Norwood students came out with signs and motivated her as she ran past their homes.

Edwards discussed how her lessons from running apply to her music class.

"Sometimes life requires grit and we have to buckle down and push beyond our limits to make amazing things happen," she said. "Even when you want to give up, you can't; someone is always counting on you. This is true for running and it is true for music!"