Marathon Coaches Crissy Straub (left) and Malinda Dublin on a race weekend in Bermuda
We’re pleased to share that Lexington resident Crissy Straub and Arlington resident Malinda Dublin have volunteered their time to coach The Children’s Room’s 2017 Boston Marathon team.
Crissy and Malinda are lifelong friends and running partners who have run a combined total of 49 marathons to date. In 2015, they decided to form their unique blend of friendship and running experience into a business, MC Coaching, which specifically coaches marathon runners who are running to benefit a charity. This is the second year in a row that MC Coaching has generously volunteered to train and motivate our Boston Marathon team as they fundraise and promote awareness for The Children’s Room.
“Being able to coach The Children’s Room ‘Miles and Memories’ Boston Marathon team is a truly meaningful, fulfilling way for me to support an organization that does such important and necessary work. It’s a way to show others that running can go beyond personal gains. Running can literally help change people’s lives, not only your own,” says Crissy. “For me to be able to help other people while doing an activity I love is a win-win situation. Running beyond oneself is what every ‘Miles and Memories’ team member does. They run for their goal to finish Boston Marathon and to raise money for an organization that helps so many people. It really is a way to pay it forward.”
Malinda says, “I am motivated to coach the team because I know that the marathon fundraising dollars will allow TCR to continue the amazing work they do, and because I believe that a supported runner is happier, healthier and more successful runner and fundraiser. As coaches we strive to empower runners by providing them with tools they need to be successful from day one of training up through race day.”
Malinda adds, “Another huge motivator for me is seeing the transformation of the runners throughout the training cycle. For first-timers in particular, the weekly long run is often the longest distance they have ever run before, and it is rewarding as coaches to see runners reach these milestones. It is our privilege to be part of each runners journey to 26.2.”
“We are so thankful to Crissy and Malinda for once again demonstrating their commitment to our mission by volunteering to coach our Boston Marathon team,” The Children’s Room’s Philanthropy Director Kim Cayer says. “We practice support in all aspects of what we do at The Children’s Room, and having Crissy and Malinda extend their support to our runners is a major physical and emotional benefit to each of them as they train to accomplish their goals and run their best race.”
This year’s “Miles & Memories” Boston Marathon team is: Alex Ebling, of Wellesley; John Fleming, of Woburn; Jared Huber, of Woburn; Tim O’Brien, of Newton; James O’Leary, of Harvard; Shane Richardson, of Cary, North Carolina; John Shea, of Needham; and Antonio Willis-Berry, of Waltham.
Over the past seven years, our marathon teams have raised over $525,000 to support The Children’s Room. Runners receive ongoing support from The Children’s Room in reaching their fundraising goals.
To support our Boston Marathon team with a donation, please click here to visit our page on Crowdrise.
