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In the days after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, a photo of eight-year-old victim Martin Richard went viral around the Internet. In the photo, Martin held a hand-written sign that simply said, “No More Hurting People. Peace,” and became an international symbol for peace and innocence.
Martin’s message inspired his family to create the Martin Richard Charitable Foundation Inc., known as “Team MR8,” and the foundation has in turn inspired three Boston College community members to run this year’s April 20 Boston Marathon for a greater cause: Christine Goldman, a part-time faculty member in the Chemistry Department, and Lynch School of Education students Maire “Maggie” Crowley ’17 and Morgan Grunat ’15.
For Goldman, this year marks her eighth qualifying for and running the marathon, and her first as a runner and ambassador for Team MR8.
“After running in 2013, I was profoundly affected by the events on an emotional and spiritual level. Every single day when I run, I pray for the victims and their families, and I pray for peace,” Goldman says.
Goldman was immediately drawn to the idea of running for Team MR8, which she feels is a way to carry on the message in Martin’s poster – one that she seeks to impart to her students by encouraging them to be kind to one another, and always to be compassionate, approachable people.
On Marathon Day, Goldman will have Martin’s message in her head all the way from Hopkinton to Boylston Street.
“I just feel I am turning my prayers into actions, and doing my best to ensure that the Martin Richard Charitable Foundation grows stronger with every year, with every passing Boston Marathon.”
Crowley will be running her very first marathon, capping off a lengthy period of training throughout a cold and snowy winter. Arduous and demanding though it was, the day she embarked on a 21-mile run – -the longest she’d ever attempted – organized by Team MR8 put everything into perspective.
Of course, she says, it was snowing the day of the run. To make matters worse, she was getting over a bout with the flu, and her anxiety about the challenge in front of her had kept her up most of the night. Not the ideal mindset with which to tackle a 21-mile run, but Crowley – who felt buoyed by the support of Grunat – knew she had to do her best.
By mile five of the run, Crowley recalls, the snowflakes were so thick that they couldn’t see further than a few feet in front of them. By mile six, her exhausted legs felt heavy, compounded by the daunting thought of the 15 miles ahead. She was breaking down.
But then Crowley saw Martin’s parents, Bill and Denise Richard, standing behind a table on the street with water and running snacks and cheering on Team MR8 as they passed.
“I smiled at Mr. Richard, and I think he must have seen the tired look in my eyes because he came over and gave me a hug,” Crowley recalls. “As I ran away from the aid station, tears filled up in my eyes. After that, the rest of my run was easy. I needed a reminder of what I was running for and the amazing, phenomenal and inspirational family behind that table.”
Grunat has found the BC community is receptive to the mission of Team MR8. “Students at Boston College are very compassionate and charitable, and I have found that my peers are equally touched by Martin’s message of peace and the Richard family. I have received overwhelming support in my fundraisers as well as many donations on my fundraising page from other BC students. Much of this support has also come from other marathon runners at BC who are representing other charities in this year’s race.
“I am so lucky to have this experience while I am a senior, and I can’t thank my roommates and friends at BC enough for their overwhelming generosity and support.”
For more information about the Martin Richard Charitable Foundation Inc., see TeamMR8.org.