Congratulations and We Did It Wednesday!

October 12th, 2021

Congratulations and THANK YOU to our amazing Stepping Strong Marathon Team for completing the historic 125th Boston Marathon! Whether you crossed the finish line on Boylston Street or in your neighborhood, we are so proud of each and every one of you. To date, we have raised over $980,000 and counting for The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation! On behalf of the entire Reny family and our team, we want to send our deepest gratitude to the entire Stepping Strong Marathon Team!

Special Message from John Furey

The one and only, John Furey, is excited to share a few words with the team today.

We Did It Wednesday!

Join us tomorrow from 6 – 6:30pm EST to celebrate your 26.2 finish with the Brigham Stepping Strong Team, and hear from a special guest! Everyone who joins will be entered to win a Stepping Strong yeti cooler! Be sure to wear your medal and jacket 😊

Thank you for your commitment and we hope you will run with us again in the future!

From start to finish,

Ali and Alexa

Team Pre-Race Celebration TONIGHT and Marathon Monday TOMORROW!!

October 10th, 2021

TOMORROWis the 125th Boston Marathon! GOOD LUCK to our amazing Stepping Strong teammates! We are so proud of each and every one of you and can’t wait to cheer you on as you cross the finish line on Boylston Street! Please text or call Ali Luthman (774-262-0314), Alexa Ramer (954-802-3777), or Caroline Duncan Rees (617-763-4657) if you need ANY support on race day!

Virtual Pre-Race Celebration

DON’T FORGET! The virtual team pre-race celebration is TONIGHT, October 10, the eve of the 2021 Boston Marathon from 4-5pm, EST. Get excited to hear pre-run inspiration that will carry you across the finish line, final updates, and of course take a team photo before the big day!

Stepping Strong Photographer in Hopkinton!

Our team photographer, Steve, will be in Hopkinton at Pan That Restaurant (right hand side of the road) as you head to the starting line. Make sure to smile big!

Stepping Strong Cheering Location

Make sure to tell your family and friends to stop by the Stepping Strong cheering location tomorrow! Our team photographer will be ready to snap your photo, so smile big for the camera as you run by 😊 Friendly reminder to hug the left side of the road after you pass the Newton Fire Station so we can grab your photo and cheer you on as you pass by the Stepping Strong tent!

Stepping Strong Team Bag Pickup – RUNNERS ONLY

Grab your gear and a goodie bag, change your clothes, and snap a photo before reuniting with family and friends!        

  • Monday, October 11
  • 575 Boylston Street, 2nd Floor
  • 12pm – 7pm EST

Special Message from Matthew J. Carty, MD – Stepping Strong Director of Strategy and Innovation

Dr. Carty is excited to share a few inspiring words with the team today.

Please make sure to review the PowerPoint with logistics for tomorrow!

If you have any questions, please contact us at marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu.

From start to finish,

Ali and Alexa

Two Days until Marathon Monday!

October 9th, 2021

We are TWO DAYS away from the 125th Boston Marathon! Below are messages from two grateful patients.

Katharine Francis: Huge shout out of thanks to my Stepping Strong Marathon Teammates from the Francis family! Because of Stepping Strong, our family was offered HOPE where others saw only loss after a devastating car accident threatened our son’s life and limb. Christopher was among the first to receive an innovative amputation surgery that restores important neuro-muscular interfaces to help amputees remain active and step stronger, thanks to funds raised through Stepping Strong! Initiatives like this are making a big difference in the lives of families like ours. Thank you!

Tammy Jerome: What defines you as a runner is not always how far or fast you go. What defines you may actually be what MOTIVATES you to push forward despite all your adversities each day and run anyway. THANK YOU for pushing forward and running for Stepping Strong. Your commitment has enabled patients like myself, a Ewing amputee, the opportunity for a more active life that I did not think would ever be possible; including the opportunity to have run again. Best of luck Monday!! I am so grateful to all of you! ❤️

As we head into the final 48 hours, please keep in mind the following:

Virtual Pre-Race Celebration

The virtual team pre-race celebration is tomorrow, October 10, 4-5pm EST. Get excited to hear pre-run inspiration that will carry you across the finish line, final updates, and of course take a team photo!

Stepping Strong Team Bag Check (Reminder: Only the B.A.A. gear check bag is allowed)

  • Sunday, October 10
  • 575 Boylston Street, 2nd Floor
  • 11am – 2pm EST

*Bring your singlet to decorate it in advance of race day with your name!

Stepping Strong Team Bag Pickup – RUNNERS ONLY

Grab your gear and a goodie bag, change your clothes, and snap a photo before reuniting with family and friends!           

  • Monday, October 11
  • 575 Boylston Street, 2nd Floor
  • 12pm – 7pm EST

REMINDERS:

  1. COVID-19: If you haven’t yet, you MUST schedule a vaccine verification or COVID-19 test administered by the B.A.A. You will receive a bracelet upon successful verification, which must be worn at all times to access bib pick-up, participant transportation on race day, and start line area. If you need the email resent to you, please alert us ASAP.
  2. Expo: You must pick up your own bib number. Wear your B.A.A. bracelet, bring your photo ID and have your digital number pick-up pass easily accessible (sent via email from the B.A.A.). The expo is open to the public, please click here to read more.
  3. Race Morning: Remember your participant bracelet, bib and mask! Plan on boarding the B.A.A. buses based off your assigned group. Remember: you CANNOT board an earlier bus, but you CAN board a later bus with your friends if you want!  
  4. Hopkinton: The B.A.A. buses will drop you off .7 miles from the start. You may use the facilities, grab water, and stretch prior to walking to the start line.  If you are getting a ride to Hopkinton, you must be dropped off at 52 South St. and take the shuttle to the start. Our photographer will be outside of Pan Thai restaurant (right before the start), so smile big!
  5. Post-race: Head over to 575 Boylston Street to change and pick up your bag! Runners only!

Special Message from Donna Woonteiler – Stepping Strong Center Communications Director

Donna is excited to share a few inspiring words with the team today.

Fundraising Challenges

Don’t forget that during the Final Countdown, all runners who receive one gift of ANY amount, will be entered into a chance drawing to win some Stepping Strong swag! We’ll be picking 5 winners who will be announced on 10/13!

The teammate who raises the MOST money and the teammate who receives the MOST donations during The Final Countdown (Oct.6 – Oct. 11) will receive an autographed Jason Tatum Celtics jersey OR an autographed Celtics team basketball! The teammate who raises the most money gets to pick the autographed item they want.

If you have any questions, please contact us at marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu.

From start to finish,

Ali and Alexa

IT’S HERE! The Virtual Boston Marathon and three Days until Marathon Monday!

October 8th, 2021

GOOD LUCK to our amazing Stepping Strong teammates who will be virtually running the Boston Marathon this weekend! Please text or call Ali Luthman (774-262-0314), Alexa Ramer (954-802-3777), or Caroline Duncan Rees (617-763-4657) if you need ANY support this weekend!

We are three days away from the 125th Boston Marathon! Here are three programs that benefit from the amazing fundraising you are doing!

  1. The Stepping Strong Innovator Awards program inspires multi-institutional faculty to pursue groundbreaking innovation with a goal of transforming outcomes for civilians and military heroes worldwide.
  2. The Stepping Strong Injury Prevention and Intervention program aims to reduce the number and severity of traumatic injuries resulting from elderly falls, gun violence, distracted driving, and substance use.
  3. The Stepping Strong Plastic Surgery Trauma Fellowship is a unique program designed to train the next generation of medical leaders in advanced and innovative techniques for treating acute and complex injury.

Special Message from Juan P. Herrera-Escobar, MD, MPH – Stepping Strong Researcher and 2018 Marathon Teammate

Dr. Herrera-Escobar is excited to share a few inspiring words with the team today.

Weekend In-Person Runner Logistics

  1. COVID-19: If you haven’t yet, you MUST schedule a vaccine verification or COVID-19 test administered by the B.A.A. You will receive a bracelet upon successful verification, which must be worn at all times to access bib pick-up, participant transportation on race day, and start line area. If you need the email resent to you, please alert us ASAP.
  2. Expo: You must pick up your own bib number. Wear your B.A.A. bracelet, bring your photo ID and have your digital number pick-up pass easily accessible (sent via email from the B.A.A.). The expo is open to the public, please click here to read more.
  3. Bag Check: If you plan on checking your bag with the Brigham, you must bring the clear plastic bag provided by the B.A.A. to 575 Boylston Street in Boston between 11am – 2pm. Bring your singlet to decorate it with your name (example below)!
  1. Race Morning: Remember your participant bracelet, bib, and mask! Plan on boarding the B.A.A. buses based off your assigned group. Remember: you CANNOT board an earlier bus, but you CAN board a later bus with your friends if you want!  
  2. Hopkinton: The B.A.A. buses will drop you off .7 miles from the start. You may use the facilities, grab water, and stretch prior to walking to the start line.  If you are getting a ride to Hopkinton, you must be dropped off at 52 South St. and take the shuttle to the start. Our photographer will be outside of Pan Thai restaurant (right before the start), so smile big!
  3. Post-race: Head over to 575 Boylston Street to change and pick up your bag! Runners only!

If you have any questions, please contact us at marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu.

From start to finish,

Ali and Alexa

One day until virtual Marathon and Four Days until Marathon Monday!

October 7th, 2021

The Final Countdown

We are one day away from the virtual race start and four days away from the 125th Boston Marathon! Here are four reasons why we are so inspired by this incredible team 😊

  1. Your commitment and training to run 26.2 miles is remarkable
  2. You have gone above and beyond in your fundraising efforts for the Stepping Strong Center
  3. Your smiles throughout the season make us smile
  4. This team is UNSTOPPABLE!

Special Message from Eric Goralnick, MD, MS – Stepping Strong Center Civilian-Military Advisor

Dr. Goralnick is excited to share a few inspiring words with the team today (…so excited he taped it a few weeks ago!).

If you have any questions, please contact us at marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu.

From start to finish,

Ali and Alexa

QUICK LINKS

  • Click here for teammate contact information. Reach out and make new friends!
  • Click here to access the Marathon TeamRaiser page.
  • Click here to access Strava and the Stepping Strong club.

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