Photo: Shari Small / WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — After two years of virtual programming out of COVID-19 precautions, the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk is back to having a physical start line to continue a decades-long annual tradition on Sunday.
Walkers came from all over the country to stroll along the Boston Marathon's route with custom t-shirts, interesting signs, and clever team names. Funds raised through the Walk will go towards adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
“Throughout the Jimmy Fund Walk’s 33-year history, we have raised money to support our lifesaving mission, and the pandemic didn’t stop us, over the past two years, we saw our teams walk virtually and celebrate in their own unique way. Now, we welcome them to walk the course in person. We are back, and we are stronger than ever," said Walk Director Zachary Blackburn.
WBZ's Shari Small spoke to Walkers who said they're glad the event is back in-person, reflecting on their seasoned participation in the fundraiser.
"We're doing the half-marathon, so 13.1 [miles] from Wellesley to Copley Plaza. It's my eighth year being captain and I think it's my eleventh-year walking. I'm an ovarian cancer survivor I'm going on my fourteenth year, so all of our money goes to Dana-Farber ovarian cancer research," said Captain of Team Ovation Tina. According to Tina, their team is at its largest ever, and the team has raised over $30,000 in funds for the Walk at the time of posting.
Read More: Dozens Of Cats Rescued From Hurricane Ian Are Put Up For Adoption In Mass.
Thousands of people turned out for Sunday's event, for 5K's, 10K's, half marathons, and marathons that travel along the Boston Marathon's route. To show support for the Jimmy Fund, multiple buildings around Boston like the Zakim and Longfellow Bridges were set to be lit up in honor of the fundraiser Sunday night.
WBZ's Shari Small (@ShariSmallNews) reports.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App