By Sandy Quadros Bowles, Editor 

Few traditions in sports match the Boston Marathon for endurance and spirit. And more than 20 Natick residents will embody those traits as they run for a special cause close to their hearts.

Meet Natick’s runners and their stories:

Andrew Ballow

 Andrew Ballow is running for the Natick Comets. “Founded in 1952, the Natick Comets are a non-profit, volunteer-led town hockey organization. As the cost of youth sports rises, we must remove barriers to entry to ensure all our young players have the same opportunities available to form ‘love for the game’ to grow as athletes, to build character, and resiliency and to develop as leaders. I’m running to help make youth hockey affordable and accessible for all families, so cost isn’t a barrier for any child.’’

Allison Barbary

 Allison Barbary is running for the Rotary Club of Natick. “The Rotary Club of Natick is an incredible organization dedicated to strengthening our community through service, generosity and support. Through my work as a literacy coach at Brown Elementary School, I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact Rotary has on our schools and community and I’m honored to run on their behalf.

Tara Bharadwaj

 Tara Bharadwaj is running for the Morse Institute Library. “Libraries shaped who I am. Growing up, weekends meant stacks of book and a summer reading goal that sparked my love of learning. Later, the library became a place of independence and focus. It invested in me and now I’m proud to give back. Libraries open doors to education, imagination and opportunity for everyone.’’

Andy Bostian

 Andy Bostian is running for Cocotree Kids “because no child should go without simple necessities. The mission to provide brand new underwear to kids in crisis hit me deeply because new underwear is one of the most basic forms of dignity a child can have. When you learn that so many kids in crisis go without even that, it stops you. It’s such a small item, yet it changes how a child feels about themselves, safe, clean and cared for. Every mile is for a child who deserves comfort and confidence.

Lindsey Caliga

Lindsey Caliga is running for OUT MetroWest. “I have been involved with OUT since 2012, first as a participant, then as a peer leader and now as a board member. I have run the Falmouth Road Race two times for them, in 2021 and 2022.’’

Hanna Carson is running for the Natick Firefighters Association. No further information was available on her run.

Danica Champion

Danica Champion is running for Spark Kindness. “As an ESL teacher for the past 11 years, I have witnessed the effects of the increased hate, intolerance, discrimination and disconnect within our schools and communities. I strive to ensure that all children and their families feel welcomed, no matter what.’’

Pat Conaway

Pat Conaway is running for Keep Natick Beautiful. “I am a retired Middle School teacher of 40 years. We started in 2009 as Big Heart Little Feet and changed our name to Keep Natick Beautiful in 2016. We’ve conducted 600 cleanups in the past 17 years all over Natick, Framingham, The Sudbury and Charles River, Woodlands, Roadways, Trails.  We have prrobably engaged about 1,500 volunteers of all ages.”

Andrew Fair

 Andrew Fair is running for Patrick’s Promise. “Patrick’s Promise is the foundation created after the passing of my cousin Patrick Sibley in 2013. As a close-knit extended family, Patrick’s passing and the ensuing inception of the foundation has been a large part of our lives.  For the better part of the last decade someone has ran the marathon for the foundation and it will be an amazing honor for me to continue the tradition.”

Caitlin Hatt

Caitlin Hatt is running for Natick Education Foundation. “Natick is my hometown, and the Natick Public Schools have had a lasting impact on my life, my family, and so many others. Not only did my two siblings and I attend the Natick Public Schools, but my mom has been a vice principal at Kennedy Middle School for 19 years. It’s been inspiring to see the community she has built around her and the unwavering support she offers to both her students and colleagues.”

Carter Haydon

Carter Haydon is running for Path for Adaptive Opportunities. “My brother, Garrett, attended Arrowhead for 14 summers before he passed away in July 2025. The community that Arrowhead brought to his life meant the world to him. Because of this, I just needed to see what Arrowhead was all about. After my first week, I fell in love with it and became fully immersed. Since 2017, I spent most of my Friday nights and Saturdays in high school at Skyline programs, and summers at Arrowhead. I will be forever grateful for the bonds it created and strengthened.”

Hailey Joseph

Hailey Joseph is running for Embrace a Family. “I am running in memory of my dear friend Lisa Movitz, who lost her battle to stomach cancer this past August.  Lisa’s infectious spirit, kindness, and strength touched everyone who knew her, and her legacy lives on through all the lives she touched.”

Bella Kondi

Bella Kondi is running for SOAR Natick. “After running the Chicago Marathon for charity, I knew I wanted to continue pursuing my dream of marathon running for a cause. Having known the Lucenta family for six years and volunteered with the Purple Flag Project, applying to run for Soar Natick felt full circle. Giving back to a community that shaped who I am today is an honor, and I’m grateful to run for an organization so close to my heart.”

Matt Lodi

Matt Lodi is running for Natick Little League. “Natick Little League is a program I have been a part of over the last 20 years as a coach, board member/president. I played in the organization growing up. Natick Little League is the reason why I still coach at different levels (both baseball and other sports) at the youth and high school level, and am a teacher today. Natick Little League’s mission to allow as many members of the youth of Natick to play baseball and softball and learn life lessons is a leading reason for running for them.”

Kayleigh May

Kayleigh May is running for A Place To Turn. “I feel incredibly grateful to be running in support of A Place To Turn, a place that means a lot to both my family and the Natick community.  My mom volunteers with A Place To Turn, and I have seen firsthand the care and compassion they operate with. I feel very lucky to have grown up in Natick and feel so thankful for the community and a Place to Turn is an organization that truly provides essential support to the entire community and is home to amazing people who work incredibly hard to do so.”

Chiara Morley-McLaughlin

 Chiara Morley-McLaughlin is running for FIDO of Natick. “As a lifelong resident of Natick I appreciate how the town fosters a strong community by having spaces to allow for gatherings. I always wanted to have a space to bring my dog to allow him to run and play so I am excited to be able to give back to Eddie’s Park and help maintain a space that is important to the community.”

Sapna Mysore is running for the Center for Arts in Natick, also known as TCAN. No further information is available on her run.

Katelyn O’Brien

 Katelyn O’Brien is running for JdVS Foundation. “I have had the honor of being Sean Kilroy’s special education teacher for the last three years. Sean and his family started the JdVS Foundation after he was diagnosed with the rare genetic mutation. This foundation provides a community for JdVS families while raising money for further research. My hope is that my fundraising efforts can help to further this work. Sean and his fellow JdVS champions are my inspiration to get through 26.2.”

Jessie Perry

 Jessie Perry is running for Family Promise Metrowest. “I’ve been so impressed with the work of Family Promise as I’ve learned more about their hands-on work in our community and the real changes they create in the lives of local families.” 

Meghan Pini

 Meghan Pini is running for Active Kids, formerly BOKS. “I am honored to be running for Active Kids because I feel passionate about the work they do to get students moving before school. As a PE teacher and coach, I find the power and value of physical movement.  I have seen firsthand the positive impact Active Kids makes on students. I am inspired by the work this program does for our community and it will help drive me forward during the marathon.”

Matthew Ranieri

 Matthew Ranieri is running for Natick Service Council. “My connection to the Natick Service Council goes back to high school, when my brother, sister, and I volunteered together doing food pick-ups for the Vi Tutuny Food Pantry. Seeing firsthand how the organization supports neighbors in need left a lasting impression on me and helped instill the values of service and community that I carry with me today.”

Xandra Roman

 Xandra Roman is running for Kids Connect. “I spent a few summers at Kids Connect back when it was a drop-in program. It was an amazing safe space to keep us occupied in the summer and we even put on a play for the Natick Pegasus TV channel. Now, as a tutoring program, I couldn’t think of a better way to support our towns youth and help where kids need it most.”

Danielle Westerman

Danielle Westerman is running for Redhawk Foundation. “The Redhawk Foundation represents the values I have regarding uplifting community programming (specifically youth sports/arts/theater). I have seen firsthand the effects that participation in these programs has on young kids. I am so honored to be a representative for this foundation.’’

Nick Zanussi

Nick Zanussi is running for the Natick Community Organic Farm. “I was pumped to discover the Natick Community Organic Farm when I moved here. My children have enrolled in the summer farm programs and my family visits the farm regularly. While working at Walnut Hill, I have continued to build on the relationship between the school and the farm by having fundraisers for the farm, bringing students on guided tours, and coordinating the purchase of flower bouquets for the graduating seniors.’’