FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The 2015 New England Patriots Charitable Foundation's Boston Marathon Team has been fundraising and training tirelessly over the past several months throughout the snowiest winter in Boston's history. Fortunately, that training is coming to an end and the runners will be put to the ultimate test.
This Patriots Day (Monday, April 20), 30 runners, including seven staff members, lifelong Patriots fans, first-time marathoners and avid runners will come together and make their way to the starting line of the 119th Boston Marathon. The team will begin the historic race starting on Main Street in Hopkinton at 11:15 a.m. with the goal of reaching the finish line on Boylston Street while wearing an official Patriots Boston Marathon Team jersey generously donated by Nike and All Sports Heroes in Lowell.
This year's Patriots Boston Marathon Team set an ambitious goal of raising $200,000 and has already eclipsed that mark with just under two weeks until race day. Since its inception eight years ago, the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation's Boston Marathon teams have raised more than one million dollars to support children and families throughout the region. For the fifth consecutive year, the funds raised will support the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards program which awards grants to nonprofit organizations through nominations of deserving volunteers in the New England region in honor of the late Myra Kraft, who was a lifelong volunteer and community advocate.
"Last year, I learned firsthand what it's like to train for a marathon and it was one of the most challenging experiences of my life," said President of the Patriots Charitable Foundation Josh Kraft. "To say that this year's winter was brutal would be an understatement. This year's team has shown tremendous commitment to their training and they have gone above and beyond to raise funds for our foundation. These awards are very near and dear to my family's heart and we cannot thank our runners enough for their dedication. We look forward to seeing them all cross the finish line on Patriots Day."
This year's Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards will recognize 26 volunteers from across the New England region for their outstanding commitment to community service. They will be invited to a special luncheon at Gillette Stadium on June 9 and will receive their awards from Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. Each of the nonprofits for which the winners volunteer will receive a grant to support their programs. Last year's recipients featured individuals from every New England state, ages 13 to 93, serving nonprofit organizations specializing in education, healthcare, homelessness, mentoring and military appreciation just to name a few.
More than 100 runners applied to be a part of this year's Patriots Boston Marathon team. When applying to the team, runners submitted information about their desire to run for the team, which included stories of being lifelong Patriots fans, triumph over personal difficulties and a desire to lead healthy lives. Fans can continue to make donations through race day in support of the team's cause by visiting www.firstgiving.com/PatriotsCharitableFoundation/bostonmarathon2015.
For more information about the Patriots Marathon Team or the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards program, please visit www.patriots.com/community. For more information about how to receive email or text alerts each time a Patriots Marathon Team runner reaches checkpoints throughout the race, or for personal stories about members of the team, please contact Dan MacPherson at 774-226-3031. Additional information and photos of runners available upon request.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION BOSTON MARATHON TEAM MEMBERS
Allie Ayres – Hingham, Mass.*
Jackie Beatrice – Norfolk, Mass.*
Ryan Boughan – Boston, Mass.
Rich DeCapua – Maynard, Mass.
Brian Donahue – Macungie, Pa.
Kelly Donahue – Stoughton, Mass. *
William Donovan – Middletown, Conn.
Nicole Fiset – Plaistow, N.H.
Maggie Hanrahan – Mashpee, Mass.
Kim Healey – Hingham, Mass. *
Katie Horan – Hanover, Mass.
Samantha Hughes – Charlestown, Mass.
Andrew Lehrer – Foxborough, Mass.
Anne McCarthy – Daytona Beach, Fla.
Megan McCarthy – Beverly, Mass.
Colin McRavey – Foster City, Calif.
Nicholas Morris – Madison, Wis.
Punit Patel – South Easton, Mass.
Talene Pomfret – Newton, Mass.
Matt Porro – Bridgewater, Mass.
Brett Sawin – Waltham, Mass. *
* Patriots staff member
