Tedy's Team before the 2019 Boston Marathon in Hopkinton
Last month, our team of 49 runners tackled the Boston Marathon – or as we like to call it – the Super Bowl of Marathons. We are incredibly proud of this team and have appreciated all of the support we have received throughout our journey to Boston this year.
Last month, our team of 49 runners tackled the Boston Marathon – or as we like to call it – the Super Bowl of Marathons. We are incredibly proud of this team and have appreciated all of the support we have received throughout our journey to Boston this year.
Over the last six months, this team has not only helped us raise awareness of stroke and its warning signs, but they have raised more than $670,000 towards our mission. These funds will be used to raise more awareness of stroke and heart disease, fund life-saving research, and give us the opportunity to assist and support survivors and caregivers on their personal comeback journeys through our Comeback Assistance Program (CAP).
This year’s team consisted of 25 alumni, 23 rookies, and of course, our team Captain. Included in those numbers, were 13 heart and stroke survivors. To say this team was special is an understatement.
“Tedy’s Team is more than a “team” it’s a family,” said rookie, Elizabeth Ritchie. “I feel blessed to have gone through this journey with 48 teammates who love and support each other. Who have your back. Who understand the ups and downs. Who are all running, fundraising, and spreading awareness for the same mission.”
Throughout the winter months, we joined hundreds of other charity runners training on the course through rain, snow, single digit temps, and even some warmer days. The strength, dedication and passion that this team showed was inspiring.
“It is very rare that you can find a group of people who are genuine, dedicated, and kind, but I found that with Tedy’s Team,” explained alumna Brendan Sweeney. “Training with the team is an experience I will never forget. We are all running for a cause and for a purpose. These motivators, along with my teammates, helped me each and every mile.”
Juggling life, work, and training and fundraising for Boston is not an easy task, but this team always focused on why they had decided to take on this challenge – for their stroke and heart heroes. Whether they were running as a survivor or running in honor or in memory of a loved one, family member, or friend; they had something, bigger than themselves, guiding them through it all.
“I will never forget turning onto Boylston street, knowing that I was about to finish the Boston Marathon for the second time,” said Sweeney. “Months of training led to this moment, and I felt like both of my stroke heroes were with me each step of the way.”
The Boston Marathon is a race unlike any other. The history and heart beyond this race make it a true honor to be a part of it each year. Shortly after Tedy’s Team was created in 2005, Tedy was able to secure five bibs from the Boston Athletic Association as a member of their charity program. Now, 14 years later, we’ve completed Boston again as an official B.A.A. charity with a larger team and an even larger impact. Having the opportunity to raise life-saving awareness and funds in the fight against stroke and heart disease, while watching teammates conquer their dreams of running this iconic race, make it that much sweeter.
“I had attended the Boston Marathon many times to cheer on random strangers, and I never thought, in my wildest dreams, that I could run it myself. It was mentally and physically tough, but it was all worth it,” Ritchie explained. “The feeling you get when you turn right onto Hereford and then left onto Boylston is unforgettable. The best part was seeing my parents at the finish line cheering me on and seeing how proud they were of me.”
Tedy’s Team is a member of the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) Official Charity Program for the 2019 Boston Marathon®.
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