Team McManus after a training run

Here at Team Firstgiving, we are continuously inspired by marathon fundraisers like Mary, who not only accomplish the amazing feat of training for and running a marathon, but also take on the challenge of raising several thousand dollars for Boston Marathon charities like Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

April 20th is only five weeks away, and like so many Boston Marathon charity runners, Mary has a remarkable story about how she came to train for the 2009 Boston Marathon:

Several years ago, Mary was diagnosed with post polio syndrome. Spaulding Rehab Hospital gave her physical therapy and the tools that she needed to regain her independence and functioning. Then, after working with a personal trainer and friend to determine what her health and fitness goals were, Mary decided to take on the challenge of running the Boston Marathon. In her own words:

I traded in my polio shoes for running shoes. From running for 30 seconds to having completed the Hyannis Half Marathon and 19 miles on our long training runs, I am ready to run the 113th Boston Marathon. When my husband and daughter heard my plan, they decided to join in the fun and so we became Team McManus.

You can read more of Mary’s’s inspiring story at her fundraising page and her teammates’s fundraising pages. In addition to the support of friends and family, Team McManus has also raised over $3500 with two community benefit concerts. We applaud the courageous steps you are taking, Mary, and we’ve made a donation to your fundraising page in honor of your run.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be featuring more stories about Boston Marathon fundraisers here at Team Firstgiving. Do you have a story you’d like us to highlight or know a runner we should know about? Post a comment below.