Sports

2014 Boston Marathon: Jenna Brown

Brown, of Malden, is determined to finish after last year's tragedy.

The following was submitted by Jenna Brown, of Malden.

Name:  Jenna Brown

Age: 28

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Goal: To finish!

Reason for running: I wanted to honor my mom’s 30th anniversary of running the Boston Marathon (1983!) by running it myself in 2013. Unfortunately, I was unable to obtain a number for the race. I was bummed out, but not devastated.

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The training is exhausting and time consuming, and fundraising seemed like a chore. But then last year’s marathon happened.

April 15, 2013 was one of the scariest days of my life. My sister was working in a high-rise at the finish line of the race and had said she was going out to watch the marathon during the day. She texted my family at 2:49 p.m. that there had been an explosion at the finish line, then a second text that there had been another one and people were running around … smoke, blood and scared people were everywhere.

Then phone communication was cut out from the area and we didn’t hear from her for a good chunk of time – we were only seeing what was on the news. We had no idea where she was or if she was okay, and it was terrifying, as I am sure was the case for almost anyone in or around Boston that day.

The inspiration, determination and heroism that have exuded from those affected by the tragedy and the city of Boston are certainly enough motivation to do everything I can to run 26.2 miles on April 21, 2014, regardless of training or fundraising.

This year, I would have been devastated to not get a number.

Fundraising link: www.teamtuftsmc.org/jbrown

The 34 Malden Residents Running the 2014 Boston Marathon >>


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