Seven Island Residents Running 2024 Boston Marathon

The 128^th Boston Marathon is taking place today, April 15 and there are seven island residents who listed Nantucket as their address participating in the marathon. Below are the island residents running and the charities/foundations they are supporting.

Kayla Gretzky:

Gretzky is running the Boston Marathon to raise funds for the Webb Norden Foundation. Gretzky said last spring prior to her 2023 run that she chose this foundation to support one of her best friends Jacqui Webb, who was one of the founders of the foundation 11 years ago with her fiancé Paul Norden.

Webb and Norden are survivors of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings who have made it their mission to give back through various charities and philanthropic endeavors ever since. The Webb Norden Foundation supports children and young adults who have been involved in a traumatic event through funding and resources.

"(Jacqui and Paul) are both extremely philanthropic people in the community and wanted to start their own foundation. It's an honor for them to have asked me to be a part of the marathon team for them," Gretzky said last year. "It's amazing that even after this horrific event these two find the good in everything and do what they can to give back to others in need."

You can click here to donate and support Kayla's cause.

Claire Mcelwain

Mcelwain is running the Boston Marathon for the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team. 100 percent of every dollar raised by the DFMC team supports the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. These funds are fueling some of today's most promising basic cancer research.

"Running has been my constant companion through the transitions of my adult life," Mcelwain says on her fundraising page. "It has been my outlet for anxiety, my way of familiarizing myself with new cities and states I've moved to, and a personal challenge ever-evolving."

"This marathon is more than just a personal challenge; it's a tribute to the incredible work of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute," she continued. "Having witnessed the impact of fine cancer institutions on my own family members, I understand the difference they make in the lives of those battling this disease."

You can donate to Mcelwain's fundraising campaign by clicking here.

Jimmy Olson:

Olson will be running the Boston Marathon to support Tedy’s Team, whose mission is to raise awareness for stroke and heart disease, supporting survivors on their journey, and giving them a means for a comeback.

Tedy's Team was originally founded in 2005, when Tedy Bruschi, former linebacker for the New England Patriots suffered a stroke shortly after winning his 3rd Super Bowl and just days after returning from his first Pro Bowl. Bruschi is also a seasonal island resident nowadays and can regularly be seen around the island – fishing in particular.

This isn’t Olson’s first go around. He also ran the 2017 and 2018 Boston Marathons for the Bill Belichick Foundation.

"Please help me reach my goal for this great foundation by donating,” Olson said on his fundraising page. “Anything and everything helps and will go a long way.”

You can support Olson’s charity by clicking here.

Roy Weedon:

Weedon is running the Boston Marathon to raise funds for the Webb Norden Foundation. In his fundraising page, Weedon references Kathrine Switzer, who was the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon in 1967.

“The USA has come a long way since Katherine Switzer ran her first Boston Marathon,” Weedon said. “We all need to work harder to protect women's sports. Boston Marathon charities support women in sports. The Webb Norden Foundation is a 501(3)(C) charitable foundation that supports children and young adults who have been involved in a traumatic event. Please help me raise funds for the Webb Norden Foundation.”

You can donate to Roy’s fundraiser by clicking here.

George Vasvatekis:

Vasvatekis is running the Boston Marathon to raise funds for the Bill Belichick Foundation.

“The Bill Belichick Foundation works tirelessly to bring the values of the Belichick family – a love of sports, coaching and team building – to the athletic leaders of tomorrow,” Vasvatekis says in his fundraising page. “If you can, please donate to my fundraising project on GivenGain.”

You can learn more about Vasvateki running the Boston Marathon here and contribute to his fundraising campaign by clicking here.

Elle Foley

Foley qualified for the Boston Marathon and will not be running for a charity. Foley has run over 60 marathons in her career and is a seasonal island resident. She is registered as a Nantucket runner in the Boston Marathon database.

Foley has ran all six of the world’s major marathons – most recently running in the Tokyo Marathon to accomplish the feat. You can read more about Foley in a story published last month here.

Bridgette Hynes:

Hynes will be running the Boston Marathon and is not running for charity after earning a qualifying time. Hynes led all nine Nantucket runners last spring with a time of 3:31:51.

Heidi Mitchell, of Darian, CT, is also running in the Boston Marathon and is a seasonal visitor to the island that also is a member of the Monument Running Group. Mitchell ran the marathon in 3:31:51 last year. Good luck Heidi!

All runners were identified through the Boston Marathon website’s entry list tracker and have their residence listed as Nantucket. If anyone captures any photos today, feel free to email them to davidcreed@n-magazine.com or send them to us on our Instagram page.

NOTICE FOR ALL RUNNERS: Maureen King has reached out to the Current issuing a reminder to any island runners that she is always at mile 17 at the Newton Fire Station at the start of heartbreak hill in the event that any runners need anything - in particular special drinks and/or snacks they can’t carry.

"Wet cold sponges and bananas always is what I hand out to runners," she said.