The selection process for the 2025 Team TargetCancer Foundation Boston Marathon Team is underway! Every previous Team TCF runner has brought something new and inspiring to the team, and we can’t wait to learn what will be motivating the next twelve runners on April 21st!
Our marathon program has evolved over time, but two central focuses remain constant- the connection among the runners, and the support that we provide each team member. In 2023 we launched our Team TCF Alumni Mentor Network, which pairs previous runners with members of the current team. Mentors are available to answer questions and provide guidance based on their own personal experiences running Boston (including how they really feel about the Newton Hills!).
Members of Team TCF24 shared their thoughts about how the alumni program impacted their first Boston Marathon experience:
Caroline Touzeau was an experienced marathoner when she joined Team TCF24, but was new to running as a member of a charity team. Running alongside her father in their fourth marathon together, Caroline was confident about the training but intimidated by the fundraising requirements. Caroline was paired with Caitlin Panciocco, a member of Team TCF23.
I was so grateful to have Caitlin, my TCF alumni mentor, as a guide throughout the whole training and fundraising process. As a first-time fundraiser, it was so helpful to be paired with a mentor who had not only met but far exceeded her fundraising goals for the 2023 Boston Marathon. My favorite overall piece of advice that I received from Caitlin was to really make my and my Dad’s story central to our fundraising efforts. Since my Dad is a rare cancer survivor and we were running Boston together for Team TCF, this made the whole fundraising process feel way more personal to us — and way less daunting.
Caroline and her father crossed the finish line of the 128th Boston Marathon with their hands raised together in victory, and both achieved their fundraising goals.
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Katie Feldman 
was training for her first marathon when she joined Team TCF24, and ran into some difficulty adjusting to the challenging conditions training through a Boston winter. Katie was paired with Samantha Reid, who ran Boston for Team TCF in 2016 and 2021. Having trained for Boston while living in both Massachusetts and Maine, Samantha was perfectly positioned to offer assistance and support.
I was having trouble training in the cold weather, both physically and mentally. Sam had experienced similar issues during her training and gave me advice on how to make the cold runs a bit more comfortable. The frigid conditions were definitely my biggest challenge so having someone to talk to about it was very reassuring.
Despite hot conditions on race day, Katie was well-prepared and successfully finished her first Boston Marathon, while almost doubling her original fundraising goal.
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Patrick Curran was running his third marathon, but his first Boston, in memory of his father who had recently passed away after being diagnosed with a rare cancer. Knowing emotions would be at the forefront of his Boston journey, Patrick was paired with Spencer Lindsay, a member of Team TCF23 who lost his brother to cholangiocarcinoma and has been involved with TCF for a decade. Patrick was grateful for Spencer’s practical insights as he prepared to travel to Boston.
The logistics of the weekend and specifically the morning of the race is pretty complex, so Spencer walked me through the entire process. This helped me plan out my morning and envision what to expect getting to the starting line from downtown Boston. Without this advice, I could have seen myself getting stressed or confused, which would have added more nerves. I was able to stay focused and dialed in to having a good run and enjoying everything this event has to offer…I drew so much energy from friends, family, TCF, and complete strangers, and I think I had an ear-to-ear smile on my face the entire race, even when I was completely drained. [Remembering] seeing tears of happiness from my mom still gives me goosebumps.
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We are incredibly grateful to all of our alumni runners who volunteer as mentors, and look forward to welcoming multiple members of Team TCF24 into the program as mentors for 2025!
If you are interested in learning more about Team TCF Boston and applying, please visit: targetcancer.org/marathon. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and will close on 10/30/24.