Run for the Memory 2010: In the News

By Art Cusano
Published April 22, 2009, North County News

Most people go through life never running one marathon, but Brian Hsia has run 14 in less than three years.

The Somers native, who was a sprinter at Somers High School, completed the Boston Marathon on Monday, finishing the race in three hours and 12 minutes.

“I’m a little sore,” Hsia said the day after the race.
While Hsia, an architect with Gruzen-Samton who now lives in the Manhattan, enjoys running, it isn’t the only reason he’s been punishing his body.

Hsia recently lost his grandfather, who had been caring for his wife, Hsia’s grandmother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. Boston was the fourth marathon he has run for the Alzheimer’s Association, and plans to run again for the charity in New York later this year.
“It gets you through the tougher miles,” Hsia said.

Hsia said he and his teammates raised $1 million for the association, a huge success in this economic downturn.

“It’s just amazing to have that effect in such a strenuous economic year,” Hsia said.
Hsia said the loss of his grandfather and the slow deterioration of his grandmother are driving him to push himself harder than ever.

“The death of my grandfather came as a shock to my family, and we were all so worried about the health of my grandmother,” Hsia said. “During the funeral, my grandmother had no reference or clue whose funeral she was attending. This disease is a horrible disease which I never want anyone else’s family to endure.”

While most runners stick to no more than two marathons a year, Hsia said he doesn’t believe in taking too much time off between races because it’s harder to get back into shape. His goal is to eventually run marathons in all 50 states, and already has 12 under his belt.
He’s run several different marathons, but his toughest challenge was the 2007 Chicago Marathon.

The veteran runner was among the thousands on hand when the temperature skyrocketed to over 90 degrees, causing race officials to call off the race before most participants crossed the finish line. He recalls seeing a bank clock reading 91 degrees around mile 20 and not believing his eyes.

“I said to myself, man they must have that really wrong,” Hsia said. “I didn’t believe it. I saw a guy on the floor shaking and holding his leg; it looked like a warzone.”
Luckily, Hsia crossed the finish line before the race was called.

Hsia is also involved with the Alzheimer’s Association New York chapter’s Junior Committee, a group of under-40 individuals who raise money and volunteer for the association.
In May, Hsia will run in the New Jersey Marathon and in October he will serve as a co-captain of the very first Alzheimer’s charity team in the New York Marathon after trying to get approved by the marathon for several years.

Anyone interested in running on Hsia’s team can contact him at brihsia@gmail.com. You can also follow his running exploits on his blog http:www.crazyarchiasian.blogspot.com.

Local Runners Tired, but Pleased with their Preformance
by Abby Jordan/Daily News staff
Published April 20, 2009, Metrowest Daily News

Ashland - Whether they relaxed in a steaming hot bath, dined on lobster or simply put their feet up, local runners who crossed the Boston Marathon finish line reflected on their accomplishment and celebrated through their soreness last night.

Trish Reske, 47, headed home to Westborough for a lobster dinner and champagne with her husband and four kids. She finished in 3:58:23, running for the Alzheimer's Association.

Reske ran the Marathon with a sign on her back saying she was dedicating her run to her mother, Alice Cunningham, who battled Alzheimer's until her death last year.

"Some of the other runners came up and said, 'God bless,' or 'good for you,"' Reske said. "That was really special."

Reske said she dealt with some lower back pain starting at Mile 12, and the bottoms of her feet and her legs were sore.

Reske began walking, then running, to get in shape after having her kids, and ran her first marathon in 1999. She completed her 12th marathon yesterday and plans to start a training program for other moms who want to get into running.

"I have a lot of enthusiasm for running," she said. "It can give you a lot of confidence - if you can do this, you can do anything."

Devoe set for first Boston Marathon Gloucester's Devoe set for first Boston Marathon

Vinnie Devoe moved away from Gloucester four years ago but he knew he would be back on Patriots Day at some point in the near future for a very special reason.

Like most local runners (of any ability) the 31-year-old former Gloucester High track star had always dreamed of competing in the Boston Marathon. He finally gets to fulfill his life-long wish this year as he'll take part on Monday with the "Run for the Memory" team to raise money to fight Alzheimer's disease.

"It's very hard to get a number for it (the Marathon)," explained Devoe. "There's two ways you can officially race: get a qualifying time for your age group or join a charity organization that's allocated a certain amount of numbers."

Devoe was actually out to dinner in Gloucester last summer with his fiancee and her best friend who had previously run in the Marathon a couple times with the "Run for the Memory" team. The friend suggested that he apply and after a few tense months of waiting, he received the good news this past November.

"I was on the wait list but then John Hancock (the Boston-based financial services group) donated more numbers and I got called back and asked if I wanted to join up."

After picking up running in middle school, Devoe started to really find his niche in high school. When he was at Gloucester High in the mid-90s, the Fishermen boys' cross country team won three Division 1 state titles. He also competed in the two-mile event during the indoor and outdoor track seasons. Devoe continued to run his freshman year at Merrimack College but stopped competing collegiately after that.

"Now that I'm in this, it's very motivating," Devoe said. "My plan is to run Chicago in the fall then Miami in February. I'd like to qualify for Boston next year and I'm using this as my test run."

His longest competitive run up until now was a half-marathon in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., which he finished in 1:39.23. His goal is to run under 3:20 sometime over the next six months.

After landing at Logan Airport on Wednesday night, Devoe was driving up to Gloucester to stay with his parents. He was using the long weekend to get acclimated to the infamous course with all its unique spots and the spring weather in New England.

"Training in Florida is pretty flat (no hills)," he says. "It's been 75-80 degrees with high humidity. Ideally, Monday would be 50-55 degrees with no rain."

There are tons of events in the city this weekend for the runners and volunteers and they also give away plenty of free running-related stuff. Most importantly, Devoe plans to both drive the course and run parts of it so he has a better idea of what to expect on the big day. Tomorrow, he will also work with a coach the "Run for the Memory" team is providing.

In total, the group has 28 members and more than half have run in the Boston Marathon before.

"They've been training on the course, which is kind of like a home-court advantage," Devoe noted. "They know where the hills are. That's why I want to try and get out on it a couple days and drive it during the daylight."

With the Marathon always falling on Patriots Day, there's no guarantee of what Mother Nature will inflict on the hundreds of thousands of participants and spectators from Hopkinton to Boston. It could be hot, it could be cold, it might be raining.

Regardless of the weather, Devoe can count on a large cheering contingent from Cape Ann.

"Pretty much all my relatives still live in Gloucester," he said. "I should have a big crowd. My fiancee is flying in today and her family should be there as well."

Devoe moved to Florida for work. He's the director of training and development for Signature Consultants which is located in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Initially, he worked for the same company in Woburn.

Through various forms of social networking (e-mails, Facebook) and a charity event sponsored by his company which drew 70 people, he's raised over $3,300 to help battle Alzheimer's disease. His initial goal was $3,000 so he can breath easy knowing he's already surpassed that mark.

Devoe will be in the second wave of runners on Monday. The professionals are in the first pack and then the ones running for charity, not to mention all the people not registered, are bunched together after that.

Strides for a cause; Locals on a 26.2-mile course in the name of charity Locals on a 26.2-mile course in the name of charity

With the Boston Marathon a little more than two weeks away, Newburyport husband and wife runners Dale Eckert and Dale Granger-Eckert are readying for their fourth trek up Heartbreak Hill, and their eighth marathon altogether.

The Eckerts are once again hitting the course with the Alzheimer's Association Run for the Memory Team, which raises money to provide services for area individuals battling Alzheimer's and the people caring for them.

"My mother had Alzheimer's for 13 years. She was kept at home and lasted so long because my father took care of her. So I run for them both," Dale Granger-Eckert said. "So many people see we are running for Alzheimer's and want to talk about it."

Alzheimer's, Granger-Eckert said, is not just a loss of memory, but a painful loss of personality, intellect and ability to function day to day.

"When someone with Alzheimer's gets sick, it is that much harder for them to understand what's going on," she said.

Over the years, the Run for a Memory Team has raised more than $800,000 for the Alzheimer's Association. And each year, the Eckerts have set the same goal for themselves — to raise $8,000. This year, the Eckerts' overall contribution to Alzheimer's research and care will top $20,000.

As part of the Boston Marathon guidelines, runners who do not qualify for a race number must raise $3,000 in order to obtain a number from a charity. Qualified runners, who already have a number, but are running for charity need to raise $1,500.

This year, with the faltering economy and people tightening budgets, the Eckerts didn't know what to expect. But instead of donations falling off, the opposite happened.

"I set the same goal I do every year. When you compromise your goal, you settle for less," Granger-Eckert said. "We got donations from the same people, some gave more; we had new donors this year."

With the donations came notes thanking the couple for running when they couldn't and for making an effort on the behalf of others, Granger-Eckert said.

"It becomes personal," Granger-Eckert said. "They are making a donation, and we are putting the effort in behind it. It also helps (that) the Alzheimer's Association is local and gives service and support."

Last Saturday, after months of training together, the Eckerts and the Run for the Memory team joined thousands of other runners on the marathon route for their final long run before race day on April 20.

"I couldn't believe the amount of people and support," they both said. "Running with all the charities and seeing all the singlets (jerseys) with names was a celebration run for the causes."

The Eckerts have had to overcome serious health concerns of their own on the road to the starting line of the 113th Boston Marathon.

Shortly after the 2007 marathon, Eckert was diagnosed with esthesioneuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer near the naval cavity. The news left no question that the next year of the 52-year-old's life would be difficult. That summer, he underwent seven weeks of chemotherapy and radiation at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. In September 2007, surgeons at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston operated on Eckert's head and removed the tumor and part of his brain.

Before surgery, Eckert set the goal to run the 2008 Boston Marathon. And less than one year after his cancer diagnosis, he not only ran it but qualified for the 2009 race.

"It never gets easier," he said. "I don't think the human body is meant to run more than 20 miles. After 20, it's a mind game and a power of will."

But despite that toll on their bodies, this won't be the last marathon for the Eckerts. The couple can't imagine a winter not spent training for a marathon or a year not running other races with the Winner's Circle Running Team based in Salisbury.

"We are all a family now," Granger-Eckert said. "One-third of the Run for the Memory Team qualified for the marathon but still run with us. It is a family."

Dale Eckert hopes to re-qualify for the 2010 Boston Marathon by clocking in at 3 hours, 30 to 45 minutes.

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. In Massachusetts, programs include a 24âÑ7 help line, support groups, educational offerings for families and training for health care professionals.

Richfield man to run Boston Marathon for Alzheimer's
By Janis Reid
Published April 1, 2009, Minnesota Sun Newspapers

For Dan Hinrichs, it's less about the running itself and more about sharing its benefits with others.

Admittedly, the Richfield resident enjoys the solitude and time to reflect on his daily one to two hour runs in sometimes sub-zero temperatures. However, the fact that he can run marathons with his children as well as raise money for charity is what keeps him going.

And, on April 20, Hinrichs will run the 113th Boston Marathon with the "Run for the Memory" team to raise money to fight Alzheimer's disease.

"The team's dedication to raising money to help find a cure and help those currently suffering from this disease is beyond impressive," Hinrichs said. "Being able to participate in this endeavor has been a tremendous experience for me."

Hinrichs said he will be running in honor of friends who have close family members with Alzheimer's disease, as well as members of his own extended family who are currently dealing with or have died as a result of the disease.

In 2007 and 2008 combined he was able to raise more than $7,500 for the association. This year his goal is $3,000.

This will be Hinrichs' seventh marathon and his third year on the "Run for the Memory" team. He began running more than 20 years ago, but did not run his first marathon until 2005 - on a dare from his daughter. Since then, marathon running has become a family affair for Hinrichs. He has run four marathons with his children, in addition to numerous 10ks, half marathons and a team half Ironman relay with his two daughters. Hinrichs is employed as an engineer with the Andersen Corp. of Bayport.

According to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2000-2005 death rates have declined for most major diseases including heart disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer and stroke, while Alzheimer's disease deaths continue to trend upward, increasing 45 percent during that period.

"We need to act now," said James Wessler, the president of the Alzheimer's Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter in a news release. "Our marathon team, with dedicated members like Dan helps support our mission to eliminate Alzheimer's disease and until we find a cure, provide care and support for those who are dealing with the disease."

During the training period, the Alzheimer's Association hosts informational meetings and organized runs, develops individual training programs, prepares runners through team meetings, web and telephone support, provides team uniforms and running equipment, and organizes other activities to help members learn from each other while enjoying the process.

"Alzheimer's is like a marathon for families dealing with it. A person may live eight to 10 years with Alzheimer's following diagnosis," said Wessler. "It is a long and often very difficult challenge."

But while Hinrichs is aware of the importance of his cause, he most enjoys the friendship of his fellow runners and the support of his family.

"The camaraderie of the Alzheimer's Association Run for the Memory Team is what makes it so much fun," Hinrich said.

"One important fact is the ability to share this experience with our kids," Hinrichs said. All three of his children - Christine, 25, Amy, 22, and Matt, 20 - have run at least one marathon with him.

"Being able to train with and participate in these races with them has been a memorable experience," Hinrichs said. "I'm also appreciative of the support my wife, Rosalie, provides."

"Running 50-plus miles per week takes up a considerable amount of time; occasionally requires her to pick me up at various locations after I complete training runs, and juggling dinner to wait for me to get home - all done without any complaints from her."

The Alzheimer's Association's mission is to advance Alzheimer's research and help those affected by the disease, providing programs and services such as the 24-hour hotline at 1-800-272-3900.

For more information or to sponsor Dan Hinrichs, visit: http://alz.kintera.org/boston2009 or www.alz.org/MANH.

Graham to run for Alzheimer’s Association
Published Mar 30, 2009, Brookline TAB

Scott Graham of Brookline will run the 113th Boston Marathon with the Run for the Memory team to raise money to fight Alzheimer’s disease.

Graham came to running recently; May 2007 was the first time he had ever run more than 10 miles. He now averages about 25 miles a week. This will be Graham’s first year on the Run for the Memory team, though he has run in two marathons previously, including last year’s Boston Marathon.

Employed as the athletic fundraising coordinator for the College of the Holy Cross, Graham decided to tie together his newfound passion with a cause that is personally important.

“I am running for the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of my grandmother, Grace Martz, who I was very close to. She passed away from Alzheimer’s in 2008 after a 10-year struggle with the disease,” Graham said.

According to the latest statistics, death rates have declined for most major diseases, including heart disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer and stroke, while Alzheimer’s disease deaths continue to trend upward.

Local man joins Alzheimer’s Marathon Team
Published Mar 22, 2009, Marion Sentinal

Lee has been running most of his life, beginning in the summer before his 8th grade year in 1976. He ran cross country and track throughout high school and was the captain of his cross country team senior year. Since then, he has run seven marathons, in addition to many 5k and 10k races.

This is Lee’s first year on the “Run for the Memory” team, although he has been involved with fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Association since his mother, Elizabeth Lee, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease five years ago. He is running in memory of his mother who passed away from the disease in August of 2008 and for his grandmother who also passed from Alzheimer’s.

“Alzheimer’s has had a big effect on my family as both my mother and grandmother died from the disease. I can only hope that I will not get it myself one day,” Lee said.

“Alzheimer’s is the seventh leading cause of death in the country. Our research shows that 1 out of 8 people of the baby boom generation will get Alzheimer’s,” James Wessler, President & CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter, said. “The programs and education that can make a serious difference in people’s lives benefit from the money raised by our “Run for the Memory” Team. We are truly grateful to Terence and his team mates for their commitment.”

During the training period, the Alzheimer's Association hosts informational meetings and organized runs, develops individual training programs, prepares runners through team meetings, Web and telephone support, provides team uniforms and running, and organizes other activities to help members learn from each other while enjoying the process.

“Alzheimer’s is like a marathon for families dealing with it. A person may live eight to ten years with Alzheimer’s following diagnosis. It is a long and often very difficult challenge,” Wessler said

The Alzheimer's Association is dedicated to advancing Alzheimer’s research and helping those affected by the disease. With headquarters in Watertown, and regional offices in Raynham, Springfield, and Worcester, MA and Bedford, NH, it provides programs and services such as support groups, professional training, educational programs, care consultation and a 24/7 Helpline at 1.800.272.3900. For more information on the Run for the Memory Team, visit www.alz.org/MANH.

Residents join Alzheimer’s marathon team
Published March 22, 2009, Watertown TAB

Jessica Gardner and Jason Kramer of Watertown will run the 113th Boston Marathon with the Run for the Memory team to raise money to fight Alzheimer’s disease.

This will be Gardner’s first full marathon as well as her first year as part of the Run for the Memory team. She considers herself a novice runner, having completed two half-marathons previously in addition to numerous road races. She is running in honor of her grandfather, Ed Dorsey, who passed away from Alzheimer’s disease.

The 2009 Boston Marathon will mark Kramer’s seventh marathon overall, and his third with the Run for the Memory team. He started running in 2005 and began running marathons shortly thereafter. Kramer runs in memory of his grandfather, Robert Gold, who passed away from Alzheimer’s disease in 1999.

By Bill Wells
Published September 17, 2008, Springfield Republican

In an interesting twist, Holyoke's Rachael Colacino will run her first marathon in memory of the man who helped introduce her to the sport of running.

Colacino will run the Breakers Marathon in Newport, R.I., Oct. 18 in honor of her uncle, Gerald Levien, who succumbed to Alzheimer's in 2000. As a member of the Run for the Memory Team, the 32-year-old has already raised more than $5,000, with all of the proceeds going to the Alzheimer's Association.

"It's one thing to do a marathon, and anyone could probably do it with enough practice," Colacino said. "With all the time I was going to be putting into the race and training, I wanted it to have a little more meaning than have it be something for me."

And her first 26.2-miler will certainly carry plenty of meaning. As a youth growing up in upstate New York, Colacino's family was invited to a social event by her uncle. During the day, an announcement was made that there was going to be a race for 11- and 12-year-old girls. Even though she had never run competitively before, Colacino entered the race, which included three laps around two baseball backstops.

She won, and since that day, Colacino has considered herself a runner.

"I was hooked from there," she said.

Colacino knew one day she'd run a marathon. Last year, she decided 2008 would be the year. And after watching her uncle struggle and eventually die of Alzheimer's, she knew why she was going to run.

"My aunt took care of him," she said. "They had been married for 50 years and she was very devoted to him. They loved each other very much. I saw that. I work at a retirement community (Rockridge Retirement Community in Northampton), and part of our campus is dedicated to people with Alzheimer's, dementia and memory loss.

"Knowing my uncle Jerry and what he and my family went through, and also seeing what families here go through, they always turn to the Alzheimer's Association, and they are so hopeful. There is so much work being done out there, and this can possibly be cured. I wanted to be able to raise money for that, and awareness, too."

The fact that Colacino believes a cure will be found soon for Alzheimer's, and running for a cause, has made training for her marathon all the more worthwhile.

"If I have to get up early to run, or if I've had a long day at work, and I have to go out to run, I'm like, 'All these people have given me money, and they're counting on me'," said Colacino, who graduated with her master's degree from the University of Massachusetts in May. "I know my uncle Jerry knows what I'm doing. Having people believe in me enough to give money has really helped me get out there."

To make a donation, or for more information, go to

http://alzmass.kintera.org/rachaelcolacinorun.

A certain peak in New Hampshire will soon be the spring for a variety of humans running from the tarns and moraines of White Mountains 200 miles southward to the shores of Hampton Beach.

Franconia Notch's Cannon Mountain will be the starting point for 350 teams varying from six to 12 runners starting on Friday at 7:30 a.m. for the running of the 10th annual Reach the Beach Relay, a 24-hour-long, team-based foot race.

Beginning at the start of New England's foliage season, the Reach the Beach Relay is the longest distance running race in the United States and is composed of 36 transition areas, which means each relay team member will run three legs of varying lengths and difficulty that will cover an average total distance of 16.6 miles.

The race is undoubtedly for veteran runners who can withstand rolling hills and asphalt treading for three to nine miles at a given time, so when the two Dales of Newburyport were confirmed to be competing in the relay, it came as no surprise.

Dale Granger-Eckert, a 56-year-old native of Littleton, N.H., who grew up around the area and learned to ski at Cannon and swim in Echo Lake, is excited to be running the relay again with her husband, Dale, and friends.

"My husband and I did it for the first time with a group of 12 friends from Newburyport in 2004," said Granger-Eckert, whose team name that race was the Day Creepers and Night Crawlers.

The Eckerts are back again this year with 12 more allies who have combined their running talents for a very special cause.

"This year we're doing it with a bunch of friends — our Boston Marathon Alzheimer's teammates — again for fun, but the difference this year is that we're doing it to possibly extend the charity, Run for the Memory, to this event," said Granger-Eckert, whose new team is aptly named Reach for the Memory. "We figured that since we'll be covering 200 miles, we might as well give a little awareness for Alzheimer's while we're out there."

Granger-Eckert explained there will be 12 people, split up in two 12-passenger vans, and when the sixth person in the first van finishes, they hand the wristband — the relay's version of the baton — to the first person in the second van, thus enabling the first van to zoom up to a transition area where the first weary group of runners can rest. People in the standard relay race, as opposed to the Ultra Distance relay team of six members, can expect to rest around seven hours between each leg.

From Cannon Mountain, runners will be heading down Route 3 and over to Twin Mountain in the town of Carrol, whisking through Crawford Notch and Conway, then through Meredith, Laconia, and the Squam Lake region, and ultimately into southern New Hampshire towns like Candia and Exeter, and then eventually finishing at the Hampton Beach reservation.

During the first Reach the Beach Relay for the two Dales, they encountered a formidable hindrance in 2004's Hurricane Ivan.

"Ivan came in with us that year," said Granger-Eckert, who stated that on the relay's onset, teams begin in "waves" and leave every 15-30 minutes. "The first leg for everyone was pretty good, but the second runs and the third runs — we never dried out. We came into Hampton Beach, and the parking lot was flooded."

Granger-Eckert explained how running at night through the winding and terrific hills of New Hampshire can be quite remarkable.

"Running at night is really surreal because you see these endless trains of bobbing light — from the reflective markers each runner adorns — and I vividly remember watching a runner ahead of me just continuing to ascend and then he finally just disappeared," said Granger-Eckert, who said that the most accomplished runners finish in around 21-22 hours.

"I can recall wondering whether he had reached a crest and was going back down or if he was still going further up and just out of sight."

Despite the distance and the occasional cramped van rides, the culmination of the race is quite the lasting and striking moment.

"To see the teams coming into Hampton is so cool because you have your last runner coming in. By that point both vans of people are there waiting," said Granger-Eckert, "and then everyone jumps out and rushes to the finish alongside them. It's a great celebration."

Dale Eckert is also exuberant to be running the relay again, especially with a cause in tow, and is lucid in his relay recommendations.

"It's a blast is what it is. It's a workout, but it's blast," said Eckert. "It's just a very different experience because you run along these incredibly scenic routes, and then you wait and heal up and then you're out running again.

"It's not the most comfortable situation at times because you're crammed in a van for some time, but it's just a fun team event that you don't soon forget."

A promise fullfilled After turbulent year, Eckert qualifies for 113th marathon

It's been a long year and a tumultuous journey for Dale Eckert getting back to the race he loves, the Boston Marathon.

In between completing his second and third marathons, the 52-year-old was diagnosed with esthesioneuroblastoma — a rare form of cancer affecting one in a million each year — underwent 35 doses of chemotherapy, and then had surgery to remove the tumor and part of his brain behind his right eye.

However, on yesterday's gorgeous Patriots Day, Eckert accomplished his goal of not only running with his wife for a third time in the event, but also qualifying for next year's marathon, finishing with a time of 3:35:19 with a mere 40 seconds to spare.

"I just barely qualified by about 20 or 30 seconds to spare; it took everything I had, but I waddled and shuffled my way to the finish," said the jubilant Eckert. "You turn the corner there at the end, and it's a half mile to the finish, but it doesn't look like half a mile. It never gets closer, it takes quite a while to get there, and I kept looking at my watch saying, 'I don't know if I can make it.'"

Despite the unusually warm April conditions where temperatures were soaring up into the 60s by the beginning of the race, Eckert beat the time of 3:35:59 needed for the 50-54 age bracket to qualify for next year's race.

"The warm weather hurt everyone, no one had sunblock on, people got sunburns, and many were over-dressed," said Eckert of the conditions, adding it was a great spectator day. "I almost wore a long-sleeve shirt because it was misty and cold when we were all lining up for the race, but luckily I had a singlet on. I'm sure there's a lot of dehydrated people out there because of the conditions.

"I don't think I could've done it much faster, though, even if it was cooler because my legs kind of wore out at about mile 20," Eckert continued. "At that point it's just perseverance, and I had to push through it."

For his wife — Dale Granger-Eckert — the fact that Dale was able to beat cancer and fulfill the promise to run again a year after the cancer diagnosis, made the 112th running a special moment for the family.

"The amazing thing is I thought I would choke up at the end of the race, but I choked up at the beginning," said Granger-Eckert of the emotions of the day. "The fact that we got to the start again this year is what hit me. Then I checked in with my Alzheimer's team at the 17-mile checkpoint and asked them if they had seen Dale. They said, 'yeah, and he's going to qualify,' so I knew he was out there."

With record-setting crowds lining the fabled course's streets, both said it was a great day to run.

"You always wonder at mile 20, 'why am I doing this,' then you complete the race, you forget a lot, especially the bad stuff, and you go and do it again," said Eckert with a smile. "It's like childbirth — I don't think a woman would do that twice if she remembered the pain."

"It's always a great day to run," said Granger-Eckert, who, along with her husband, runs for Alzheimer's research after her mother passed away from the disease after a 13-year battle. "It really doesn't matter what type of day it is, but today was exquisite."

And after burning over 3,300 calories, some well-deserved rest and relaxation along with a cup of Joe was the plan of action for the evening.

"I just need a cup of coffee," said the drained Eckert. "I've been craving it ever since I've finished."

Long may they run

By David Abel Globe Staff

Published April 21, 2008 , Boston Globe

They are professional racers, runners for charity, and casual joggers. Some have run for years; others will run the course for the first time. Today, more than 25,000 runners from around the world will make their way from Hopkinton to Copley Square in the 112th Boston Marathon. Here's why some of them do it.

Often training before 5 a.m., Mary Lou Slonkosky, a 45-year-old mother of 10 from minister, Ohio, is out to prove that having little time to run can be a gratuitous excuse.

For Dale Eckert, 52, of Newburyport, who has undergone 35 rounds of radiation, eight rounds of chemotherapy, and one operation to treat his brain cancer, finishing will be its own reward.

Beverly's Pak leads pack among North Shore marathoners

Running for the Alzheimer's Association, Hamilton's Tom Cook, 50, clicked off a 4:02.34. Even better, he raised about $6,500 for Alzheimer's and was part of the Run For The Memory team that, when all is said and done, will have raised more than $235,000 for the charity.

"It was a lot of fun until mile 22, when I started having stomach issues," said Cook. "It wasn't pretty at the end.

"But it was a great day (overall). The (Run For The Memory) team did very well, and I saw Matthew (his son, a sophomore at Hamilton-Wenham Regional), my two girls and my wife. There were friends out there who recognized me. It was just very good," Cook added

At 80, Wakefield legend is still a Marathon man

Tom Cook of South Hamilton has been training for months to complete the race for the Alzheimer's Association. The cause hits home for his wife, Ann, whose mother was diagnosed 3 1/2 years ago. This will be Tom Cook's fourth year of fund-raising for the Alzheimer's Association and his second year running the Marathon. Last year, he ran as his son, Matt, watched on TV from Spaulding Rehabilitation Center. Cook was struck by a line drive while pitching batting practice for Hamilton-Wenham in 2007.

Quips & Quotes

"I get to stay fit and healthy. It (running the Boston Marathon) is a selfish thing for me."

— Hamilton's Tom Cook, who will run in his second Boston Marathon Monday, raising money for the Alzheimer's Association

Plenty of local flavor in Monday's Marathon

Essex native Marie Kane will also be running on Monday. Kane will be running to raise money for Alzheimer's research, and in memory of her grandmother, who recently died of the disease.

Siblings run for father, future

To the 10 O'Connor children, he was a devoted father who loved nothing more than being outside to get a little exercise and fresh air.

After a six-year battle with Alzheimer's disease caused these traits to fade, Francis passed away in 2007, and his family is working to make sure that he will never be forgotten.

Matt O'Connor and Jane Lizotte will run in the Boston Marathon as members of the "Run for the Memory" Team to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease. Joyce O'Connor Davidson will also run the marathon individually in support of her brother and sister.

The three have spent hours training for the marathon together, leaning on each other much the way they did during the darkest days of their father's illness.

"We'd run and have hours that would go by and we wouldn't say a word, but it was nice to know that someone was there," Jane said.

While three of the O'Connor children will run the Marathon, the others have formed a cheerleading section that will carry them all the way to the finish line.

Family members' homes have become pit stops for water, rest and a little conversation during training runs, and the mara- thon route will be scattered with family members off ering the encouragement these runners say they've grown to rely on over the years.

"It's not that we weren't close before, but the past couple of years have caused us to become even closer and this is a happy occasion to remind us of our dad," Joyce said.

The runners will also rely on the extended family they have found in the other Memory Team members.

"Everyone has a personal connection to Alzheimer's; everyone has compassion for what other people have gone through," Matt said. "It's a very hard fight and it's not like we sit around and talk about it, but running with people who know what you've been through is comforting."

As daunting as preparing for the Marathon is, the O'Connors said their struggle preparing for the race pales in comparison to the struggle that others face every day.

"The pain I feel during training is nothing compared to the pain of people suff ering with Alzheimer's and the pain of the people that are caring for people with Alzheimer's," Jane said. "When you're aching as you make your way up Main Street, you think about how people with Alzheimer's ache all of the time and that it doesn't go away for them, and you're able to keep going."

Although they're running in their father's memory, trying to save others from the pain of the disease, the O'Conner siblings wonder if they're also running for themselves, and their children.

"There's a lot in the news that this is a disease that travels through families, and you don't know what you're facing," Jane said.

This will be the second year that Matt has run the marathon to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's research. Each runner must raise a minimum of $3,000. Matt made a personal goal of $5,000, but ended up raising more than $12,000 last year.

The O'Connors have set a goal of $15,000 for this year's race, which takes place Monday April 21.

To donate in support of the O'Connor family or for more information, send e-mail to Jane Lizotte at jlizotte@townisp. com.

Run For The Memory suits Cook perfectly

Tom Cook won't feel guilty when he goes to the starting line in Hopkinton Monday morning for his second Boston Marathon.

"My wife puts up with the training that I do," said the Hamilton resident, who turned 50 in March. "I get to stay fit and healthy. It (Boston Marathon) is a selfish thing for me."

Over the last four years, Cook has raised more than $15,000 for the Alzheimer's Association in memory of his mother-in-law, Margaret Connors, who passed away from the disease three-and-a-half years ago.

He did the fundraising with a two-day, 150-mile bike ride from Brattleboro, Vt., to Boston for two years, then turned to the Boston Marathon for the first time last year, when he was on the Run For The Memory Team for Alzheimer's. Altogether, the team raised nearly $210,000 for the Alzheimer's Association, one of the official charities of the Boston Marathon.

If that's a selfish approach, then the Boston Athletic Association would probably welcome about 25,000 Tom Cooks for its annual marathon run.

"Let's put it this way — I've been supported very well," said Cook, who was drafted by the Cleveland Indians as a pitcher out of Hamilton-Wenham Regional in 1976. "People were good to me when I did the bike ride, and the (Boston Marathon) is just something I wanted to do last year. Unless you do it, a lot of people just don't understand."

Cook feels it'll be a little easier to run Boston this year because he's more familiar with the course and what it takes to prepare for such a physically and mentally demanding event.

He's not one to broach the subject, but his inaugural Boston Marathon last year was anything but easy.

Cook's son Matt, who was a freshman pitcher for Hamilton-Wenham at the time, was struck by a line drive at practice on March 30, 2007 and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Matt was at Children's Hospital in Boston for a week before he was transferred to the Spaulding Rehab facility at Mass. Eye & Ear.

It was a very uncertain time for the family. Matt had some of the symptoms of a stroke victim, and no one really knew if he'd become completely healthy again. Tom and Ann Cook took turns staying overnight at the hospital.

Tom shut down his training in the final weeks leading up to the Marathon, and no one would've blamed him if he'd skipped the event.

"Tom wasn't sure he was going to run," said Run For the Memory team coach Rich Schilder of Belmont. "It was a tough decision. But what we've found is that people by and large bond with each other. They're all running for Alzheimer's and this team is a safe haven for them, an extended family. I think with Tom, it was his first Boston and having put so much work into it, it was cathartic for him to complete the marathon."

Cook finished the race in 4:03. As soon as he went through the chute and picked up his medal, he walked directly to Spaulding Rehab to see his son.

"It was very emotional," said Tom. "Matt wasn't (at the race) and the nurses tracked me on the Internet so he could find out how I did. He was proud, but he was still very, very sick. His speech was slurred and he was in a holding pattern. We didn't know what was going to happen."

Matt Cook, who just celebrated his 16th birthday yesterday, is no longer in a holding pattern. He made remarkable progress in the months after the Boston Marathon and was cleared to play sports at Hamilton-Wenham prior to the winter season. He was a starting forward for the Generals basketball team, which went 14-4, and is on the baseball team this spring.

"One of my friends was going to the Red Sox game that day and came to the hospital and we sort of watched (the Marathon)," Matt Cook recalled. "I think it was pure mental toughness on his part to run that day. He fought through everything. I was proud of him.

"When he goes out on those long (training) runs now, it's just good to see him," added Matt, who hopes to see his dad run Monday if baseball practice doesn't conflict with the Marathon. "I think that any (Boston Marathon) charity that goes towards a cure for something is good. It can be the Jimmy Fund, it can be Alzheimer's — they all do a great job."

Schilder's Run For The Memory Team for Alzheimer's consists of 37 runners, mostly from Massachusetts, but there are also two members from the state of Washington and one each from Minnesota, Louisiana and Ohio. Schilder says they hope to raise $225,000 to combat the disease.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, as many as 5.2 million people in this country are affected by the disease.

One of Cook's Run For The Memory teammates is former Danvers High cross country and track runner Katie Macdonald, 27, who now lives in Watertown. Macdonald wanted to get involved this year because her 74-year-old grandmother has Alzheimer's.

"My family has been affected — a lot of families have been affected by Alzheimer's," said Macdonald, who has raised nearly $5,000 since committing to the Marathon. "This is my first official Boston, and it's good to have a coach and teammates to run with.

"I know Tom Cook; he's a great guy. His son's story is unbelievable. I'm happy for his family."

With his son's health restored, Cook has been able to concentrate on the Alzheimer's charity to a greater degree this year. Like Macdonald, he'd like to finish under four hours and raise as much money as possible.

"I don't think people truly understand how devastating (Alzheimer's) is to a family," said Cook. "It's so (debilitating) for people who have it and with baby boomers getting older, the numbers could be mind boggling.

"Very selfishly, I'm concerned for my family, but I'm also concerned for all those who are affected. Whatever we can do to raise awareness is good."

Let's get it started: Family to hit pavement for Alzheimer's research

Kate Hassan, a Waltham resident, has fond memories of the time she spent with and things she learned as a child from her grandmother.

Today, Hassan, 27, can only reminisce as her grandmother is rendered silent and must use a wheelchair because of the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

But Monday, Hassan, along with her aunt and uncle, both of Arlington, will pound 26.2 miles of pavement for the Boston Marathon in honor of her Nana, Kay Mansfield.

"She didn't really get this serious until a few years ago. I got to grow up with her my whole life," said Hassan. "She doesn't really remember us anymore. But, she always smiles and stuff when people come to visit, so maybe in some ways she does recall us."

Hassan, along with her aunt, Patricia Verrier, and uncle, Matt Mansfield, are three of the 40 or so runners on the Alzheimer's Association Run for the Memory team.

Although Hassan ran the Boston Marathon last year for the American Liver Foundation and finished in 4 hours and 2 minutes, this year's race has taken on a whole new meaning as she joins her aunt and uncle, who are veteran runners for the association.

"Obviously last year I ran for a charity and it was really a great feeling to do the Marathon. This year, it is even more so because it hits so close to home. The Alzheimer's Association has done so much for my family in terms of helping out," said Hassan.

As of Wednesday, the trio hit the $30,000 mark in their quest to raise $40,000. All of the money will be donated to the association, whose Massachusetts' chapter is based in Watertown.

"They have a wonderful support system that we actually as a family participated in," said Hassan's aunt, Verrier.

Family members took part in a six-week information session, offered for free to family and friends of those suffering from Alzheimer's, said Verrier.

"It's great to have that group of people to ask questions when you have no idea what you're encountering or what is happening," said Verrier.

Watching her mother's condition deteriorate is extremely difficult for Verrier, who will complete her third Marathon as a two-year member of the Run for the Memory team.

"Obviously it's been very difficult because right now she is pretty much nonverbal," said Verrier, choking back tears. "Now it's hard to go see her. It's just difficult because her mother lived to be about 87 ... and so she was a great-grandmother to have around and someone I could visit. I just always imagined that would be what my children could experience with my mother."

Although the trio will be the only three running for the association, Verrier said the entire family, which includes nine children and countless grandchildren, have rallied around to support their efforts.

"We did a fundraiser back in March. It just helps to keep the family involved because not everyone can run the Marathon," said Verrier.

Last year, Verrier, alongside her brother, Mansfield, completed the Boston Marathon with a thirst to do it again.

"I've been running for over 20 years, but the Marathon has always been a goal of mine. Combining it with the Alzheimer's sort of catapulted me to this point. I was only planning on doing one in my lifetime," said Verrier.

With the Boston Marathon under his belt, Mansfield said running on a team builds camaraderie, but running with family members drives motivation.

"It's just been good to be cohesive in our unit and be together in a family," said Mansfield.

Like his sister, Mansfield said it is difficult to realize his two young sons, ages 3 and 7, will not know their grandmother the way he knows his mother.

During his training, his 7-year-old son was "making the connection between my mother having the disease and (my) running. As he's grown up I've been doing the same thing for a couple years now. It's nice to hear him talk about it," said Mansfield.

However, his mother's understanding of the trio's mission is not quite as clear, said Mansfield.

"She's never really known. With my first Marathon, I was able to tell her and she did acknowledge only by saying, 'Oh, yeah,"' Mansfield said.

More recently, he said, "I do recall specifically telling her. She just sort of nodded and shook her head. At this point, she wouldn't have any response to a conversation like that."

Dale & Dale ‘Run for the Memory’

'I kicked cancer' Eckert to run Boston Marathon less than a year after diagnosis

NEWBURYPORT — Dale Eckert wanted to complete his second Boston Marathon last spring before he addressed the tumor that had developed between his right eye and brain.

He knew there was something wrong when the overwhelming pressure in his forehead caused a nosebleed during the Newburyport's native's final massage in the days leading up the marathon.

"I had a red stream draining from my nose," Eckert said. "I knew something was wrong. When I got the diagnosis, my wife was more surprised than I was. I just nodded and said, 'Yep. Now I'm going to kick cancer's ass.'"

Shortly after last year's race, Eckert was diagnosed with what he calls an "odd-ball" form of cancer — esthesioneuroblastoma. According to emedicine.com, one in 1,000,000 Americans is diagnosed with the disease.

"If you're going to get something, you might as well get something different," Eckert said.

The May diagnosis left no question that the next year of the 52-year-old Eckert's life would be remarkably different than the previous one. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation at Dana Farber Cancer Institute for seven weeks in July and August. In September, surgeons at Brigham and Women's Hospital opened Eckert's head and removed the tumor and part of his brain.

"My surgeon said the worst part was behind me after the chemo and radiation," Eckert said. "I said, 'You're not getting your head disassembled.' I was nervous knowing I'd be cut from temple to temple, but the surgery was easy."

Before surgery, Eckert set one goal for 2008: Running the 112th Boston Marathon. Less than one year after the cancer diagnosis, Eckert will join his wife Dale Anne Granger-Eckert next Monday at the starting line in Hopkinton. The pair will run for the Alzheimer's Association "Run for the Memory" team in honor of Dale Ann's mother, who died at 87 after a 13-year battle with the disease.

"We always start together, and my husband runs ahead and waits for me at the end with a bagel or cookie," Dale Ann Granger-Eckert said. "I had him sign up for Boston last summer between his chemo and surgery. I wanted him to make the commitment. I don't know what I'll feel this year when I see him waiting for me at the finish line."

Eckert left his job as a technician at BMW Peabody upon learning of his diagnosis last spring. The treatments at Dana Farber became his full-time job.

"Those beat you up pretty bad," Eckert said. "I found that out the first week. I continued to go to the track, and my doctor found out. He said, 'Your immune system is broken down. Anything that gets injured doesn't heal.' So I got a nice bicycle. I knew if I stayed in shape, I had a better chance of beating it."

After 35 doses of chemotherapy and radiation, Eckert was ready for surgery. He was hospitalized for four days after the surgeons removed the tumor. Two weeks after he returned home, he awoke one morning with his right eye swollen shut.

"I couldn't see," Eckert said. "Then I looked in the mirror and said, 'That's not right.' We went back to the hospital and found out I got a bonus with the surgery."

The surgery had caused an infection in Eckert's right eye. He continues to struggle with double vision and has yet to return to his job.

"I just assumed I'd be back to work in a month," Eckert said. "That turned to two months and then six months. Now it's indefinite until I get my vision back. But that was a fluke. It's workable if that's all I have from cancer. I feel good to be alive."

With a pledge to his wife to run this year's Boston Marathon, Eckert forced himself out of the house just days after the surgery. He went for walks, tried jogging short distances, and even participated in the Newburyport Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. In early December, he committed to training for the marathon.

"It was like starting over," Eckert said. "I had no speed. I went and tried three miles; it was torture. Usually that's nothing for me. I realized I was being stupid, and I had to back down."

Eckert shifted his focus from speed-training to strength-building. He mixed one-minute walking sessions into runs between miles and worked his way up to a half marathon earlier this month.

"I still don't have my speed back, but I'm getting there," Eckert said. "I'm not where I used to be. But that's not difficult for me to handle."

Having qualified for this year's Boston Marathon with a previous best marathon time of 3:26, Eckert could theoretically set up in the 10th corral next Monday in Hopkinton. Instead, he plans to join his wife and the "Run for the Memory" team in the 21st corral, members of which typically cross the starting line at least a half-hour after the gun is fired.

Although Eckert was not required to fundraise, like his wife, to acquire his number, he did so anyway. He and his wife, as of last evening, had raised $6,573.24 toward their goal of $8,800 for Alzheimer's research. Eckert must run this year's marathon faster than 3:35 to earn a number for next year. Otherwise, he'd be required to fundraise for a marathon-sponsored charity — something he's shown he's more than willing to do.

"I want to requalify for next year, but it's not a necessity," Eckert said. "If I do, I do. And if I don't, I don't. I had cancer, and I set a goal to run Boston before my surgery. I kicked cancer's ass, and now I'm going to achieve my goal. What more could I ask for?"

The Alzheimer's Marathon Team

WATERTOWN, Mass. - Marathoners from towns across the Northeast are getting in shape for the Alzheimer's Association “Run for the Memory” team for the Boston Marathon on April 21—because they’re committed to battling the disease that steals memories and eventually lives.

“More than 5 million Americans now have Alzheimer’s disease,” said James Wessler, President & CEO Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter. “It is not just an old person’s disease—it can be early onset before age 65. And it nearly always affects the whole family because they become caregivers.” More than 120,000 people in Massachusetts have Alzheimer’s; nearly 80% of them are cared for at home.

For too long, Wessler said, Alzheimer’s had been kept in low profile. Not any more. With the aging of the baby boomers, the disease is poised to have a devastating affect. The men and women in the Run for the Memory team are hoping to have an impact as they raise money for research and programs to help those dealing with the disease.

“I regret being far away and not being able to help my family more, so I want to be able to at least help others dealing with Alzheimer’s by providing funds to the Association to help other families as they go through similar experiences,” said team co-captain Christine Horan of Brookline.

As part of their commitment, team members pledge to raise a minimum of $3,000 each. Last year, the average for the Alzheimer’s team was $7,500 per runner.

In 2005, the Alzheimer’s Association was recognized as an official charity of the Boston Marathon® for a three year cycle. The honor is accorded to a limited number of charities each year.

During the training period, the Alzheimer's Association hosts informational team meetings and organized runs, develops individual training programs, prepares runners through team meetings, web and telephone support, provides team uniforms and running equipment donated by New Balance, and organizes other activities to help the team learn from each other while enjoying the process.

The Run for the Memory team launched its own blog this year at www.alzmass.org/marathon/blog with highlights, stories and humor about their training written by team co-captain Ed Cederholm of Weymouth and team member Lori Coburn, Milton.

“We encourage anyone who has been touched by Alzheimer’s disease to get behind our team, cheer them on and support them,” Wessler said.

2007 News

A Marathon Tribute: Granger-Eckert will run Boston for her deceased mother

Newburyport's Dale Granger-Eckert is running her second Boston Marathon Monday, and she is going to need help.

Not with the running part. This is the second entry in Boston and sixth marathon in a little over 18 months for the 54-year-old. When asked if she feels like a veteran, she laughs.

"When I look at the people who are doing their 20th marathon, I wouldn't say I'm a veteran," she said. "I'm getting experience. I like the course the few times I've run it. I'm starting to see familiar things."

Granger-Eckert and her husband, also named Dale, are among 31 members of the Run for the Memory team, which is collectively raising money for the Alzheimer's Association in running the marathon.

Granger-Eckert lost her mother, Mildred, in 1999 at 84 years old after a 13-year battle.

"Mommy used to knit the most intricate blankets," Granger-Eckert recalled. "And we noticed that she kept re-doing row after row, and she never used to do that. We knew then something was wrong."

Plyney Granger, her father, was with Mildred every day, through the broken shoulder, the broken hip, memory loss and the paranoia. When Mildred tried to lock herself in the bedroom, he removed the locks. When she went to cook on the stove, he turned off the power downstairs in the fuse box.

"Daddy was her caregiver," Granger-Eckert said. "He kept her very healthy. There was the occasional trip to the hospital, but he kept her home through it all. And looking back, my father wasn't a young man."

Plyney Granger passed in 2004 at 89 years old due to a series of strokes. A year later, Granger-Eckert ran the Mount Washington Road Race, carried Plyney's ashes the entire way and placed them at the summit, where he used to work for the Boston and Maine Railway.

It is a cause about which she is nearly as passionate as distance running. The Alzheimer's Association is in its second year in the Boston Marathon's Charity Program, which accepts a handful of new causes each year on a rotating three-year cycle.

Run for the Memory has raised about $130,000 thus far and has a goal of raising $175,000. Last year, the group, which had 19 members, raised $150,000.

"I'm happy with whatever we raise, but I didn't join this team to raise the minimum. I hope to raise more." Granger-Eckert said, who, along with her husband, has raised $7,500 en route to a goal of at least $8,000.

Granger-Eckert is approaching the marathon with a little more fervor than last year. She admitted to enjoying last year's run, pausing to take lots of photos, stopping for hugs and taking in the spectacular spring day.

This year, she wants to break 4:30, which would be a significant drop from last year's time of 4:46.59.

"I don't want to go out and kill myself, but this year I won't take as many pictures," she quipped.

Along with her teammates, Granger-Eckert has twice run from Hopkinton to Boston College, about 22 miles, in recent weeks with relative ease. She has specifically worked on slowing herself down which, she hopes, will prove worthwhile in the frenetic first miles of the race where runners often fizzle due to nerves.

Granger-Eckert can also bank on her experience in recent months. She completed the New Hampshire Marathon in Bristol, NH, in early October in 4:51.06 and the Stonecat Trail Marathon in Ipswich in 6:21.34. The two marathons offered a plethora of hills, fallen trees, dirt and gravel.

With the Alzheimer's Association's affiliation with the Boston Marathon, Granger-Eckert's team meets once a month in Watertown for a training run which gauges their progress. Through its affiliation, they are also provided with a coach who organizes workout regimens.

Throughout the months of training, all the team members keep in touch constantly though e-mails and phone calls. And each member has a direct connection to the disease.

It is symbolic for Granger-Eckert that the Alzheimer's Association became a Boston Marathon sponsor last year. As she qualified through the charity program, Dale Eckert qualified by running the Portland Marathon in a swift 3:30.15.

"The thing that Dale and I have is what one does, the other does," Granger-Eckert said. "I was very happy to see that the Alzheimer's Association was one of the sponsors. I couldn't see him running (Boston) without me."

Residents going the distance for charities

Arlington - Tricia Verrier and her brother Matt Mansfield of Arlington will run the 111th Boston Marathon on April 16 with the Alzheimer's Association "Run for the Memory" team.

Tricia's and Matt's commitment to the Alzheimer's cause comes on the heels of new information showing Alzheimer's disease is up by about 10 percent as the baby boom ages, and diagnostic techniques become more accurate.

Tricia Verrier is a legal assistant for Hermes/Netburn/O'Connor & Spearing P.C. running in her second Boston Marathon. Matt Mansfield is the Associate Director Procureman at Boston University and is running his fourth Boston Marathon. They have been involved in several events for the Alzheimer's Association including the Memory Walk and Make the Link Golf Tournament.

"We are running in the honor of our mother Catherine Mansfield who has the disease." Mansfield said. "She is a current resident of Belmont Manor nursing home and has been living there since August 2005."

James Wessler, President & CEO Alzheimer's Association Massachusetts Chapter, spoke about the impact of the event.

"Alzheimer's is the seventh leading cause of death, and although we do not yet have a cure, we can offer support and programs that make a difference," said Wessler. "We are truly grateful to Tricia and Matt for their commitment."

As part of their commitment, team members pledge to raise a minimum of $3,000 each. Last year, the average for the Alzheimer's team was $7,500 per runner.

The Alzheimer's Association is the largest national voluntary health organization dedicated to advancing Alzheimer's research and helping those affected by the disease. With headquarters in Watertown, and regional offices in Lowell, Springfield, Worcester and Sandwich, they provide programs and services such as support groups, professional trainings, educational programs on the impact of the disease, care consultation and a 24/7 Helpline a 1.800.272.3900. For more information on the Run for the Memory Team, visit www.alzmass.org.

Fund raisers and galas: April 12 – Residents to run Marathon for Alzheimer’s

Chrissy Horan and Betzaluz Gutierrez of Brookline will run the 111th Boston Marathon on April 16 with the Alzheimer’s Association’s Run for the Memory team. As part of their commitment, team members pledge to raise a minimum of $3,000 each. Last year, the average was $7,500 per runner.

Cold Forecast won’t Chill Runners’ Enthusiasm

HOPKINTON - The few runners and fans who ventured to downtown Hopkinton yesterday remained upbeat and excited about the challenge of what looks to be a windy and rainy 111th Boston Marathon tomorrow.

The cloudy skies and chilly wind kept the crowds away from downtown Hopkinton yesterday, but the weather did not cool the runners' spirits. Many have traveled from out-of-state to participate, saying the aura of the Marathon is irresistible.

Rob Cartwright, 34, came up from Atlanta to run the race for the first time. He has run other marathons, but the Boston Marathon is different.

"This is a dream come true," said Cartwright, who is running as part of the Run for the Memory team which raises money for Alzheimers research. "Boston, when I describe it to someone who is not familiar with the sport, is the Rose Bowl. There is so much tradition."

The potential for a cold rainy race does not phase Cartwright, who has run the Chicago Marathon a few times.

Rain and wind is nothing for 46-year-old Dan Hinrichs, also with Run for the Memory.

The group has 31 runners, said Belmont resident Rich Schilder. The 48-year-old is running in honor of his father, who died after two years battling Alzheimers. The charity group is small, but Schilder said last year it raised the most money per runner, with an average of $7,500.

Schilder has run dozens of Boston Marathons, and having grown up in Newton on Heartbreak Hill he said the race is in his blood.

Long Island resident Gary Kaufman, 46, qualified for the Marathon for the second time this year, having also run in 2002. He remained upbeat despite the ominous forecast, although he is not looking forward to the winds.

"I heard the wind would be in our faces, instead of at our backs," Kaufman said. "Rain and snow I can bear with, but wind will destroy you."

The two-hour wait before the race begins may be the worst part tomorrow, said Kaufman, who plans to wear several layers before shedding them at the starting time.

Kaufman had his picture taken with his companion Liz Beck in front of a sign proclaiming "It All Starts Here." This will be his 20th marathon, but the Marathon remains a big deal.

"It's the tradition that drew me," Kaufman said. "It's the oldest continuously running marathon."

The brisk weather did no favors for vendors who set up on the town green yesterday. Upton jewelry maker Gail Ames came to the Marathon for the first time this year, and early yesterday afternoon sales were slow.

"If the weather does not improve I will have to walk the Marathon to raise money," Ames said, chuckling. "I can't run - it will take me seven hours."

Business at the food tent run by the Uxbridge First Night Holiday Parade organizers fared better. Hot cocoa and hamburgers sold well, said Tom Bellacqua, the fundraising chairman for the group.

"There are usually more people in nice weather," Bellacqua said. "It's been pretty busy so far."

To prepare for the potential onslaught, the crew of Bill's Pizza & Restaurant will get there early. Waitress Melanie Arena, 21, of Hopkinton, will arrive at 4 a.m. and she said the owner will sleep over at the restaurant tonight.

Bill's only serves breakfast one day a year, Marathon Day, said employee Amanda Kee, 18, of Northbridge. They benefit from good geography.

"All the people who watch come in, since the starting line is right there," Kee said looking out the window.

A little farther down the street, Hopkinton Gourmet server Sarah Davin, 17, said Marathon Monday has traditionally been good for business. Davin hopes a warm cup of coffee will draw people in from the cold.

"It is usually not the runners, they can't have coffee and bagels," Davin said. "Usually the people who are watching or who work at the race (come in)."

Hamilton resident joins Alzheimer’s Marathon Team

Cook, a Global Sourcing Manager for Varian Semiconductor Equipment, is making his first attempt at a marathon. Thomas began raising awareness and funds after his mother-in-law, Margaret Connors passed away from the disease.

“It was very troubling to watch such a vibrant, energetic, and loving woman slowly lose her battle with the disease and how it affected her friends and family,” Cook said.

James Wessler, President & CEO Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts Chapter, stressed the importance of the event. “Our Run for the Memory team is a significant component of our outreach and fundraising,” Wessler said. “The money raised by Thomas goes to our programs and research, and to support for families dealing with Alzheimer’s disease.”

As part of their commitment, team members pledge to raise a minimum of $3,000 each. Last year, the average for the Alzheimer’s team was $7,500 per runner.

The 2007 Marathon will be just the second time the Alzheimer’s Association has been able to participate as an official charity. The honor is accorded to a limited number of charities each year.

During the training period, the Alzheimer’s Association hosts informational team meetings and organized runs, develops individual training programs, prepares runners through team meetings, web and telephone support, provides team uniforms and running equipment donated by New Balance, and organizes other activities to help the team learn from each other while enjoying the process.

“We encourage anyone who has been touched by Alzheimer’s disease to get behind our team, cheer them on and support them,” Wessler said.

Roughly 155,000 people in Massachusetts have Alzheimer’s. Nearly 80 percent of those with the disease are cared for at home.

Norwell man to run for Alzheimer’s Association

Norwell- The first marathon David Allen ever ran in was held in lovely, balmy Bermuda.

If recent weather forecasts prove accurate, the weather for Monday’s Boston Marathon — Allen’s fourth 26.2-mile jaunt — is likely to be less hospitable.

But Allen, like many of the athletes who’ll participate in Monday’s marathon as well as other endurance testing events, is motivated by something more than just a quality finishing time.

A Norwell resident, Allen, 37, is running for Alzheimer’s research, and he’s participating in the event with a club from the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Allen’s mother-in-law, the late Natalie Leary, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s just over a decade ago, and she passed away from the disease last year.

“She was a very strong, independent woman,” Allen said of his mother-in-law. “She loved to play golf, and loved to take her family on trips to Europe.”

Allen said his grandfather Lowell Kruse, also suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease.

Allen said the Alzheimer’s Association is the newest charity to be named an official Boston Marathon charity. It’s also the smallest, and this year 35 runners will be running on behalf of that group.

In terms of fundraising, though, so far the group has done well, having collectively raised more than $175,000 for the cause.

“We’re hoping as years go by, we raise more money and create more awareness,” Allen said.

According to Allen, Alzheimer’s Disease is affecting more and more people, bordering on epidemic numbers.

An estimated 4 million Americans, he said, including 140,000 people in Massachusetts, suffer from the disease or a similar disorder.

To prepare for Monday’s marathon, Allen, who lives with his wife and three boys in Norwell, has been training hard since November.

Each Saturday morning at 6 a.m., he heads up to Boston College, where he and the other runners in the club complete portions of the actual Boston Marathon course.

“It’s an awesome experience,” he said. “It’s early on Saturday, but nonetheless, it’s been great. I’m certainly as ready as I’m going to be.”

Allen said he’s seen the race many times on television, and many times in person as well, but he’s excited to be taking part in his first Boston Marathon.

For the past two weeks or so, Allen said he’s been tapering his running down – completing a few five-mile runs a week – but he’s been eating a ton: lots of pasta, vegetables and fruit.

There’s also been a lot of bagels, peanut butter and other foods loaded with carbohydrates.

“If I weren’t running,” he said, “I’d gain about 50 pounds this week.”

To sponsor Allen in his effort, log on to the website: www.alzmass.org, and click on the “Run for the Memory” logo.

Canton marathoner is race ready

Canton - It was not uncommon to see Canton’s Michael Albert running in the wee hours of the morning on Washington Street and over by Cobb Corner. Even in the middle of winter, Albert would sneak out into the pitch black to give the pavement a workout—logging 40 to 50 miles per week, with the longest runs Saturday morning.

“It’s such a good feeling,” Albert said. “When you finish a run, it’s such a high. It never gets easier, but you get faster.”

In training since October, Albert is ready to take on Heartbreak Hill on Monday during the 111th running of the Boston Marathon. He is running to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association on their “Run for the Memory” team.

“It’s really surprising how many people are touched by this disease,” said Albert, whose grandmother suffered from Alzheimer’s for five years before passing away in 2001.

“It’s an unbelievable team,” he said. “They make such a huge drive for research dollars. It’s a great cause.”

The Alzheimer’s Association is the largest national voluntary health organization dedicated to advancing Alzheimer’s research and helping those affected by the disease. Alzheimer’s Disease affects 155,000 people in Massachusetts with nearly 80 percent of them cared for at home. The organization also provides support to the caregivers of the people affected by the disease, Albert said.

The 25-member “Run for the Memory” team has raised more than $170,000 to donate to the Alzheimer’s Association as of this past Monday. Last year, the target number was $150,000 and fundraising efforts hit the $170,000 mark; this year, the goal is $175,000 and the team is closing in on their target as race day approaches. Each team member must raise at least $3,000. Albert has topped that easily and is nearing his personal goal of $5,000. He said he leaned on his colleagues, family and friends to help with fundraising.

“The programs and education that can make a serious difference in peoples’ lives benefit from the money raised by our Run for the Memory team,” said James Wessler, President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts Chapter. “We encourage anyone who has been touched by Alzheimer’s disease to get behind our team, cheer them on and support them.”

The team started out with five members, grew to 15 by last year and is up to 25 currently. Albert said the continual growth of the group can be attributed to the efforts of Timothy Morrison, who serves on the board of directors for the Alzheimer’s Association. With the well-known Dana-Farber team likely having more than 100 runners, Albert said he thinks Morrison would like to see the Alzheimer’s team get to that point as well.

“He keeps trying to expand,” Albert said of Morrison’s efforts and noted that team coordinator Carolyn Whipple has also been instrumental in organizing the team and increasing awareness.

Of the 25 team members, there are five or six who are from outside New England. Albert said many of the people coming from farther away have already qualified for the marathon, which means they do not need to run with a charity organization to get a spot in the field. Albert said that just further shows their commitment to the cause.

This is Albert’s second marathon for the Alzheimer’s Association. Last year, he finished the marathon in 3:37. He was on pace to make the qualifying time of 3:15 for his age group, before hitting a wall on the hilly sections near the 18-mile mark. He said he hopes to avoid that wall this year.

The team, coached by former marathon runner Rich Schilder spent much of the fall and winter building up miles in preparation for the big day. The team met once a week on Saturday mornings for longer runs. Getting things rolling with nine-mile jaunts, runners built up to runs of 16 miles or so. To culminate the training, runners completed two 22-mile runs, utilizing much of the marathon course itself. Schilder provides the runners with a detailed training regime, which includes different length runs for every day. Runners then conform their schedules to the regime as best they can. For the most part, the Saturday runs are the only runs when the entire team can get together, Albert said.

“Forty to fifty miles per week might sound daunting,” said Albert, who works as an account manager at Fidelity Insurance in Boston. “Rich is happy to individualize the training.”

For the past few weeks, runners have been tapering down their running to insure their legs will be fresh and energized on race day. Albert was only planning to run three times this past week. Raised in Milton, Albert moved to Canton about a year ago. Running the marathon had always been a goal, but with family and work obligations, making it a reality proved difficult. Like many others, Morrison pushed Albert to apply for one of the spots on the team. Albert has been running consistently for the past two and half years, he said.

And when Albert does hit the hills of Newton, he’ll be looking for his two boys, Eli and Sawyer, sporting their “Run, Daddy, Run” T-Shirts for the second year in a row. Along with his two boys, his wife, Laina will be cheering him on along the route as well. Laina has been very understanding through the entire training process, considering there were weekend days where Albert would be gone for three or four hours while running, he said.

“The crowds were cheering the entire time,” Albert said of last year’s race. “I tried to high-five as many little kids as possible. It was just a great experience.”

Newburyport couple share same first name, same mission

Dale Eckert and his wife, Dale Granger-Eckert, of Newburyport, will run the 111th Boston Marathon on April 16th with the Alzheimer’s Association “Run for the Memory” team. Their commitment to the Alzheimer’s cause comes on the heels of new information showing Alzheimer’s disease is up by about 10 percent as the baby boom ages, and diagnostic techniques become more accurate.

Dale Eckert is a BMW technician running his second Boston Marathon. Dale Granger-Eckert is in circuit board modification and repair at Circuit Technology Center. She is also running her second Boston Marathon. “My husband and I are running in memory of my mother, who had Alzheimer’s, and for my father, who was her primary caregiver,” Granger-Eckert said.

James Wessler, president and CEO, Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts Chapter, spoke about the impact of the event. “Alzheimer’s is the seventh leading cause of death, and although we do not yet have a cure, we can offer support and programs that can make a difference,” he said. “We are truly grateful to Dale and Dale for their commitment.”

As part of their commitment, team members pledge to raise a minimum of $3,000 each. Last year, the average for the Alzheimer’s team was $7,500 per runner.
For information on the Run for the Memory Team, visit alzmass.org.

Scully to run for Memory team

Susan M. Scully of Somerville will run the 111th Boston Marathonon April 16 with the Alzheimer’s Association Run for the Memory team. Her commitment to the Alzheimer’s cause comes on the heels of new information showing Alzheimer’s disease is up by about 10 percent as the baby boom ages and diagnostic techniques become more accurate.

Scully is an account manager at New River and is running in her second Boston Marathon. She has also run marathons in Rome and Bermuda. “I’m running in memory of my mother who passed away in November 2006,” Scully said.

James Wessler, president and chief executive officer of the Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts Chapter, spoke about the impact of the event. “Alzheimer’s is the seventh-leading cause of death, and although we do not yet have a cure, we can offer support and programs that make a difference. We are truly grateful to Susan for her commitment.”

As part of their commitment, team members pledge to raise a minimum of $3,000 each. Last year, the average for the Alzheimer’s team was $7,500 per runner.

The Boston Marathon has distinguished itself as the foremost event in road racing by virtue of its traditions and longevity. The 2007 Marathon will be just the second time the Alzheimer’s Association has been able to participate as an official charity. The honor is accorded to a limited number of charities each year.

During the training period, the Alzheimer’s Association hosts informational team meetings and organized runs, develops individual training programs, prepares runners through team meetings, Web and telephone support, provides team uniforms and running equipment donated by New Balance, and organizes other activities to help the team learn from each other while enjoying the process.

“We encourage anyone who has been touched by Alzheimer’s disease to get behind our team, cheer them on and support them,” Wessler said.

Roughly 155,000 people in Massachusetts have Alzheimer’s, and it is a disease that has a widespread affect on families. Nearly 80 percent of those with the disease are cared for at home, and challenges to caregivers are significant. For more information, visit www.alzmass.org

Lisa Kaminksy featured in the trade magazine, APTS. Click here to view article

Inspired by mother, Stanford marathoner raises money for Alzheimer's

STANFORD - David Young is tall and lanky, wearing rectangular blue-framed glasses. Although his hair is salt-and-pepper in color, it's still a bit shocking to find out he's 49 years old.

Young, a runner, recently qualified for the Boston Marathon, the Super Bowl of foot races. A huge accomplishment, but bittersweet.

His mother, Charlotte, died in October after a six-year battle with Alzheimer's. She died two days before Young left for the Chicago Marathon.

As strange as it sounds, Young said her passing was beautiful and peaceful as she stopped breathing while he and his father were at her bedside at home. Charlotte Young, the mother of two and wife of D. Ralph Young for 59 years, was 79.

Young says he was not quite so graceful during the Chicago race. He struggled with both his emotions and legs during the grueling 26-mile run.

"Here was this 49-year-old man running and crying at the same time," Young says, laughing. "And I called on Mom to help. She was with me."

Young said his father told him to go run - that's what his mother would've wanted. Young joined Team CARE (Conquering Alzheimer's Running Endeavor) in Chicago.

"We functioned as a support group for one another. All of us had been affected by the disease one way or another," Young says.

Young finished the race in three hours and 30 minutes. He said as soon as he realized this qualified him for the Boston Marathon, he knew what was next.

"I joined the Alzheimer's Massachusetts chapter's team," Young says, referring to the Run for the Memory team.

Betsy Percoski of the Boston chapter of the Alzheimer's Association says the group is just establishing itself at the prestigious race.

"Our goal this year is $175,000 - it's only our second year as a recognized charity of the Boston Marathon. They restrict the number of recognized charities. Last year our 20 runners raised $150,000 and this year we have 30 runners."

Since he "ran family and friends' wells dry" by asking for donations before the Chicago race, Young decided to hit local businesses up for the Boston Marathon. His goal is $1,500.

"This time I'm taking my sons Chad and Clay with me for moral support," Young says.

RR Donnelley, where Young has been employed for 16 years, donated $500 to Young's cause and he hopes others follow suit.

"This is a terrible, dehabilitating disease. And like anything, when it hits so close to home, you start to understand how badly the research is needed," Young says.

Charlotte Young was 72 when she was diagnosed, and Young says she hid her symptoms at first. An organized and intelligent woman, she first began having issues balancing the checkbook, then began suffering from dementia, Young says.

"She was a vital woman and took care of our family like a perfect mother," he says.

She ate healthy and exercised regularly, even leading the family down a vegetarian eating style at one point.

"It got to the point where she couldn't feed or bathe herself, her expressions and eyes were blank. She lost the ability to think about even swallowing. It was a horrible, horrible experience," Young recalls.

His father even had drugs sent from overseas that aren't offered in the U.S., but nothing helped.

The latest research that Young has read suggests that some sort of "plaque" has been found in brain tissue of those who have died from Alzheimer's. It was described as latching onto and blocking the electric circuitry of the brain, like dust in a computer that builds up.

DeeAnna Esslinger, vice president of development and communications with the Alzheimer's Association's national office in Chicago, says this is correct.

"It's very similar to plaque that forms in the arteries of the heart that causes heart disease," Esslinger says. "But these are found in the brain, and they prohibit the neurons from connecting, causing various symptoms."

Esslinger says there are different ways to look at death brought on by Alzheimer's.

"In my opinion, the disease itself is not the actual cause of death. But because of its effect, the body begins to shut down. Messages aren't getting to the lungs, the kidneys, for example," she says.

"I want to continue raising money. I want to donate time. I want to make a permanent decision to make a difference," he says. "My mom would've done the same thing if it were me instead of her."

Young also asks anyone who's interested in contributing to the cause to call him at (859) 583-8393.

BAA squads dominant in team competitions

A computer gremlin was blamed for uncertainty surrounding the team results in yesterday's 29th Annual New Bedford Half-Marathon, according to race officials.
Individual finish times and order of finish were recorded and posted accurately, but it was then discovered that the runners who registered online had not had their club affiliation downloaded by the event's Web site.
Michael Pieroni, head coach of the Boston Athletic Association, was generally satisfied with his group, which came ready to run. The men won the Open Division and took second in the Masters, while the women also took the Open.
"This race is somewhere between spring training and opening day for these guys," said Pieroni.
Particularly pleasing was the third-place finish in the women's race by Kasie Enman, who ran 90 seconds faster this year despite more challenging conditions.
The wind was certainly a factor. Matthew Ely of the BAA, who ran eight seconds slower than last year in 1:08:55, agreed.
"I was slower even though I put in a lot more effort this year," said Ely, who ran with teammate Chris McGill from mile seven. "It wasn't easy. Because of the wind we switched off about every two minutes and when you took the lead you didn't feel like you were going anywhere."
In college McGill ran for Iona and was an All-American cross-country runner, so Ely was happy to be able to stick with him.
Mark Coddaire, coach of the Greater Lowell Road Runners knew before the race that his chances were not great.
"We're strong on the front end of every division," he said. "But, we didn't have the numbers here today."
In the men's Open, the Road Runners missed their top two runners, Casey Moulton and Nate Jenkins, who are still recovering from a stellar 2:15 finish at the Austin Marathon held in January.
Times like these by American runners have not been seen for more than a decade. Casey's younger brother Patrick also ran an astonishing 2:15 in Texas in his marathon debut, and he was in New Bedford yesterday running for the BAA.
A native of Pelham, N.H., Patrick graduated last year from Providence College with a degree in history and is running 100-mile weeks. Asked about his future goals, he said "I just want to run faster." The running world will be hearing a lot more from this lad in the future.
Tom Dederian, head coach of the Greater Boston Track Club, brought 27 runners to New Bedford. He was hoping for more, but getting people to races can be a challenge.
"The women's open team is our strongest, but people have complicated lives these days. It's not like at school where you just put them all on a bus and they have nowhere else to go," said Dederian. "People have to work or go to weddings or whatever, so it's not easy."
Rich Schilder, who coaches the Alzheimer's Association training team, brought his runners to tune up for Boston.
"They are not just running for themselves. Their motivation is that they all have or had family members who suffered from Alzheimers," said Schilder. "So, they are trying to raise money and awareness."

Staff writers Ed Collins, Curt Brown, and correspondent Don Cuddy contributed to this report.

Horan runs for Alzheimer's Association

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For Christine (Chrissy) Horan of Brookline, running the 110th Boston Marathon on April 17 will be personal as well as physical. She will run with the Alzheimer's Association Run for the Memory team.

"I have run the Boston Marathon for the last two years raising money for a cause I believe in," she said. "I can think of no other way to thank my late grandfather, who suffered from Alzheimer's, than to run in his honor, making this day even more memorable to me."

Horan, a Healthy Choices program director for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, was also a Memory Walk volunteer in 2004. The Memory Walk is the Alzheimer's Association's single largest fund-raiser, raising more than $1.1 million.

"Our Run for the Memory team is a significant component of our outreach and fund-raising," said Massachusetts Chapter Alzheimer's Association president and chief executive officer James Wessler. The funds raised by our team members go to our programs and research and support for families dealing with Alzheimer's disease."

Mansfield running marathon for Alzheimer’s research

Arlington resident Matt Mansfield is preparing to run his second consecutive Boston Marathon. Time, place and finish will not be the primary objective for Mansfield, who is running this years’ race in honor of his mother.

Catherine Mansfield has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, a progressive brain disease that currently affects nearly four million Americans. Roughly 140,000 of those afflicted reside in Massachusetts.

Seeing his mother suffer from Alzheimer’s helped motivate Mansfield to become part of the Run for Memory team, a group of local runners whose mission is to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association, and research aimed at a cure for the disease that affects one in 10 people over the age of 65.

"It’s such a difficult disease. There’s only so much you can do," said Mansfield. "I needed another outlet. This (the Run for Memory team) was an opportunity to give support."

This is a very meaningful year for the Run for Memory team, as it will be the first time that they will compete as an officially recognized charity by the Boston Athletic Association.

That distinction means that the team is given 15 waivers, allowing runners like Mansfield to be able to participate in Boston, even if they haven’t raced to the B.A.A.’s lofty qualifying standards. .

With the growth of the Run for Memory team comes additional structure, and an added focus on the team’s primary objectives.

"Our program is set up to provide the training and the fund-raising tools needed," said Run for Memory team-coordinator Carolyn Whipple.

Runners meet twice a week for training runs, including a long run early Saturday morning. For Mansfield, the challenges of marathon preparation are made much more bearable thanks to his teammates.

"I’m not really sure I could do it," he said. "It’s a lot to get up at 7 a.m. on Saturday and run 15 to 17 miles. Having a group to run with makes all the difference."

In addition to the challenges of marathon preparation, a full time job, and a family (wife Gwen and young sons Luke and Sean), Mansfield and his Run for Memory teammates pledge to raise a minimum of $2,500 for the Association.

Much of the fundraising is now done online, and nearly all the runners have a webpage on the Alzheimer’s Association website (http://www.Alzmass.org) that allows donors to read the personal story behind each runner.

"It really communicates to their donors what they’re running for," said Whipple.

Mansfield raised $8,500 for the Association in 2005, and he challenged himself to set the bar even higher this year, setting his goal at $9,000.

In addition, the team of 18 other runners (15 waivers and four others who have qualified and earned numbers through their own means) have done some an amazing job fundraising.

"To date they’ve raised over $105,000.00 for the association," said Whipple.

Mansfield credited his wife Gwen for the sacrifices she makes while he prepares for Boston.

"I’m lucky to have a wife whose very supportive," said Mansfield.

He also credits the Alzheimer’s Association for all of its work, especially through the challenging times that he and his family have faced while his mother’s condition has grown progressively worse.

"The Alzheimer’s Association is an organization that helps you make decisions. The hardest thing about this disease is making tough decisions," he said.

To Support Matt Mansfield and the Run for Memory Team, go to http://www.AlzMass.org and click on the Run for Memory Link., then click on Make a donation, and scroll to Matt Mansfield’s home page.

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