The Meaning Behind the Miles: 85 Athletes Run for Team BMC in the 129th Boston Marathon
April 21, 2025
From former patients to a chief resident, Team BMC runners share why they dedicated 26.2 miles to the hospital.
This Boston Marathon Monday, 85 athletes have been going to the starting line to begin their 26.2-mile journey on behalf of Boston Medical Center (BMC). Each runner had their own unique story that brought them from the suburbs of Hopkinton to Copley Square, joining an exclusive group of only 0.13% of the U.S. population to run a marathon. For athletes of Team BMC, they commemorated their run and fundraising efforts to support the hospital.
Team BMC is a community of athletes that participate in a variety of athletic events throughout the year to raise funds in support of BMC programs and initiatives. Athletes are patients, staff, and friends of the hospital. Throughout the years, more than 1,100 Team BMC athletes have raised over $10 million. Just earlier this year, 215 Team BMC walkers participated in the Winter Walk and raised critical funds for BMC’s Living Well at Home program.
This Marathon Monday, runners raised funds and are continuing to do so through the fundraising deadline of May 15 that will be allocated toward BMC’s pressing priorities, including but not limited to economic mobility programming; Nourishing Our Community, which encompasses BMC’s Teaching Kitchen, Preventative Food Pantry, and two rooftop farms; and urgent health needs. Each athlete committed to raising a minimum of $8,000 for Team BMC, with a team goal of $800,000.
Below HealthCity heard from this year’s Boston Marathon Team BMC athletes on what this day, and BMC, means to them.
“BMC takes good care of our children both in the clinic and in the hospital. Doctors focus not only on their physical needs, but also care for the whole person. My heart always feels warm and fuzzy when I think about BMC.”
— Rashida Santos, BMC patient
“Five years ago I was having heart surgery at BMC, and I couldn’t run more than a mile without almost passing out. Running 26.2 miles to support all the great work BMC does is something I would have never even dreamed of when I was getting wheeled into the operating room.”
— Nick O’Hara, BMC patient
“I am proud to represent BMC as I run the 2025 Boston Marathon…There is nothing more important than our health, and BMC makes sure that excellent care is accessible across all socio-economic levels. More than ever before, it is imperative that we support institutions like BMC that strive to make our community healthier.”
— Sarah Cormier, BMC patient
“BMC’s values align so closely with mine. I know that our whole team is there to provide the highest quality care in the most equitable way possible for every patient, which are values I aspire to in my daily life. Team BMC allows me to carry forward that mission forward and is an honor and privilege.”
—Jeffrey Edwards, MD, Chief Pediatric Resident
“It is an honor to run for BMC as another way to demonstrate our department’s commitment to the families we serve.”
— Elijah Paintsil, MD, Chief of Pediatrics
Inspired by this team? Help runners achieve their fundraising goal. Visit bmc.org/teambmc to make a gift.
Join a BMC cheering section at Mile 17 or look for our runners at any point on the course.
Stop by our post-race after-party! Learn more at the link, tickets are $35 at the door. Marathon2025 | Powered By GiveSmart.
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