If it wasn’t for Kate Keaney’s husband Paul, she would be running only one marathon this coming April – the Big Sur International Marathon in California. But with encouragement from Paul, Kate applied to be a member of Team Metro Housing for a chance to do what even the most avid runner might not consider – run two marathons on opposite coasts within 2 weeks.
Even better, she is supporting an organization with a mission that she cares about at the same time.
Kate is a native of Walla Walla, Washington and fairly new to Boston. In her previous running group in Washington, the Boston Marathon was hailed as the queen of all marathons. She now finds herself fulfilling a dream when she joins four other members of Team Metro Housing on April 15 when they run the 123rd edition of the historic race. Team Metro Housing has had runners compete and raise funds as part of the John Hancock Non-Profit Program since 2006. These thirteen teams of volunteer runners have raised a combined $431,000 to prevent families and individuals throughout Greater Boston from becoming homeless and help households to transition from homelessness to stability.
“When we moved to the area just over a year ago, we made sure to get out watching the marathon and cheering everyone on. I was hooked,” says Kate. “I couldn’t move all the way out here and not somehow participate in this race!”
Kate has been running since 2008 when she joined Paul in a Couch to 5K program at her local YMCA and was shocked that she loved to run. She hasn’t looked back since and has run several 5K races, marathons and ultra-marathons.
“When I moved to Boston I started researching how I could run the Boston Marathon. Knowing I wouldn’t be able to qualify, I started looking at nonprofits,” said Kate. “A colleague of Paul’s at TripAdvisor told him that applications were being accepted at Metro Housing|Boston. What really sealed the deal for me was that Metro Housing is a wonderful organization doing amazing work. I am proud to support their mission.
“I owe so much to my husband, Paul. Without his encouragement and his unconditional belief in my running ability, I would have missed out on this amazing opportunity. I am incredibly grateful to be a part of Team Metro Housing.”
To help Kate reach her fundraising goal, please make a donation at http://bit.ly/kateRuns.