Boston Marathon | Rising Hearts Runners Recap!
CONGRATS TO ALL THE RISING HEARTS RUNNERS AND COMMUNITY RUNNERS AT THE BOSTON MARATHON
Hello Community!
Let’s celebrate these amazing humans! Our community runners, who ran in the Boston Marathon! They have helped promote Rising Hearts and some of them have helped fundraise for the heart work we are grateful to keep doing.
We have a handful of runners who have helped fundraise for us! No matter large or small, that financial support has it’s place to be and support in the heart work we do!
Learn a bit more about our runners, read their run reflections and support!
- Rising Hearts
BOSTON RUNNERS
Day 1 | 129th Boston Marathon + the Indigenous Runner’s Panel
Indigenous Peoples from all over were able to hold space at the @bostonmarathon Expo for the Indigenous Runners Panel, moderated by Abby Burgess (Mi’kmaq), Ben Burgess (Mi’kmaq), Verna Volker (Diné) of Native Women Run, Larry Spotted Crow Mann (Nipmuc) of Ohketeau Cultural Center, Patti Dillon (Mi’kmaq), Wings of America Board and runner up at the Boston Marathon 1979-1981, and Jordan Whetstone (Lakota) of Rising Hearts!
Not only were they all able to share in their experiences of running and community, they were each able to speak to all or some parts of the heart work they all do. The history and legacy of Indigenous running and presence at the Boston Marathon, has been woven into the miles with the lands from start to finish.
Indigenous Legacy Runners:
Tom Longboat (Onondaga), Boston Marathon’s first Indigenous Champion in 1907 (runner up in 1901). Now, his great-grandson, Kristian Jamieson will be running in his footsteps on Marathon Monday!
Tarzan Brown (Narragansett), 2 time winner of the Boston Marathon in 1936 and 1939. He ran the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. Heartbreak Hill was named because of Brown’s effort to break Kelley’s heart on the course to continue on to win the marathon!
Andrew Sockalexis (Penobscot), ran the marathon at the 1912 Sweden Olympics. Finished runner up in 1912-1913 at the Boston Marathon. - their legacy of Indigenous running and our presence at the Boston Marathon!
Patti Dillon (Mi’kmaq), we mentioned her before on the Panel. She has held the world record and American road records. She was considered one of the most dominating American female runners of the 1970’s. And runner up at the Boston Marathon 1979-1981! Going from never running and smoking, to dominating running, she has inspired many Indigenous runners! And continues to coach the next generations.
What an honor to share space with all these inspiring voices! Being able to have the space created for us, to bring our voices, prayers, song and a round dance, further shows the community we want to see and bring! We can’t wait for more in the years to come!
Day 2 | Boston Marathon | Rising Hearts Meet + Greet
What. A. Morning! Wow. It was an incredible honor to hold space, all thanks to On, for creating the space for us, to bring community together.
We were able to have Rising Hearts, Wings of America, Redhawk Singers, Indigenous Peoples Day of Newton and North American Indian Center of Boston present, along with many runners, friends and community who joined us! Earlier that morning, Indigenous youth, part of the Boston Pursuit Program of Wings of America, ran in the BAA 5k! The youth chosen, were announced on March 31st. What an experience for them to have, the chaperones, Sky and Hosava, along with Wings staff, Dustin and Mariah!
We began the morning with a land blessing, led by Larry Spotted Crow Mann (Nipmuc), of Ohketeau Cultural Center. Blessed everyone there, including the runners! Then we moved back inside, and honored two amazing humans, doing inspiring heart work for the community. Rising Hearts honored Dustin Martin (Diné) of Wings of America and Daryl ‘Stretch’ Murphy (RH Athlete Advocate) with a starquilt and pendleton.
We continued with community in getting to know each other, catch up, meet for the first time, learn from the organizations that tabling, and beautiful songs by the Redhawk Singers! New connections made, exciting ideas already being talked about, and we are excited to help continue the conversations and do what we can to create the spaces for us to be in and thrive in!
Redhawk Singers
We are so grateful for the Redhawk Singers joining us that morning! The drum is the heartbeat of our Nations and communities. To have them center within our event, just brought more meaning and purpose. We look forward to more opportunities like this to come.
RUN REFLECTIONS
Kylie Bemis | RH Athlete Advocate and Charity Runner (The Marathon Project in December 2025)
Well that was a different kind of race. First time I've started a marathon knowing that reaching the finish line in itself would be a challenge. I resolved solely to carry my message and my body there. No kings. No tyrants. No more missing and murdered Indigenous relatives. For my trans and two-spirit siblings. They can never erase us. We are here.
I started as easily as I could, but my first mile still ended up being faster than last year just because it was so much less crowded on the course after letting so many people pass me!
I ran the first 10K before tossing my handheld and starting to walk the aid stations and the uphills. That was the plan, and I could've started walking earlier, but I felt good enough for the first 10K that I wasn't too worried. It felt good taking it easy through Framingham, where I usually start worrying about keeping the pace up where the course flattens out there.
People actually used the signs from our Boston Strong Forever messaging! Not many, but they were there! "Run like DOGE is chasing you" was the first one I saw. There were more "You run better than our government" signs than usual, but I've seen that one in previous years. Finally, I saw one crew who'd brought the whole collection: "Trump can't win this race." "Musk can't buy this race." "No kings on Bolyston!"
As people passed, I started getting comments on my singlet. I didn't plan it this way, but starting in the first wave and running my slowest Boston ever meant that more than 10,000 people must have passed me and read "No tyrants / No kings" on my back! I don't usually feel so encouraged by comments as people pass me, but this was different. Empowering. Positively rebellious.
The Wellesley women gave me life as always, and I was happy to see and hear encouragement from Alison Wade from Fast Women just before the city. I crossed halfway feeling nearly the same mixture of strength and dread as I felt last year at halfway. Strong enough to know I'd make it to Boylston, but knowing it would be a difficult journey.
Crossing the highway out of Newton Lower Falls, Jordan Marie Daniel finally caught me as I was walking the overpass. I put in a small surge to catch her and return the encouragement before happily watching her run ahead of me. I felt immeasurably grateful in that moment.
After the firehouse turn, I found the Mass 50501 cheer station with its trans pride flags I'd been hoping to see. Near the crest of Heartbreak Hill, I saw my brother waving my two-spirit pride flag, and when my mom didn't see me, I turned and went back to hug her.
After a brief pitstop near Boston College to find a portapotty, I received another burst of life from the Pioneers Run Crew by the reservoir, and finally I found myself in Brookline.
I walked a lot. For the first time, my legs were more tired than my lungs. But they still felt good enough to run the rest of the downhills hard and race down Boylston St.
I'm happy to be alive. I'm lucky. If you know, you know.
-Kylie
Kelsey Landrum | Rising Hearts x ReNew Earth Running Charity Runner
Where to begin….what an inspirational and magical weekend this was. I am beyond grateful to the support I’ve received from Rising Hearts, Renew Earth Running, Gu, ASICS, and On Running leading up to and during the marathon. Running for RH and RER and meeting such a beautiful and special community has been the highlight of my year so far, and I hope there are many memories and runs together in the future.
We started the weekend by with a blessing of the lands and runners at On Running. Here, I got to meet fellow RER athlete advocates and friends for the first time, learn from them, and learn
about them. We had the opportunity to honor Daryl and Dustin (Wings for America), and what a joy it was to celebrate their advocacy and work. Thank you to On for opening your space to
honor our lands, runners, and athlete advocates.
The race day was even better and more magical than I could have hoped for (all the race-day factors certainly don’t line up the way they did very often). I got to cheer on our RH friends and
athlete advocates, race with gratitude and connection, and run with my friend Tim (bottom left photo) who has supported our RH efforts. I was able to find my friends and training partners,
Ashley and Christina (bottom left), at the finish line and am grateful to their support of RER and RH within our running community.
I can only hope that I can continue supporting RH and RER in the little ways that I can, and want to thank you for supporting RH and RER. The impact of your support was beautifully evident in the community, space, visibility, and races that our team had at Boston. An extra special thank you to Lex and Jordan (though thank you will never be enough).
Wado,
Kelsey
P.S. I will continue donating an original painting for each donation through my RH/RER links.
Reach out if you are interested!
kelseyrlandrum5@gmail.com
Nate Crail | RH Charity Runner (The Marathon Project in December 2025)
It was my first Boston Marathon, 5th world marathon major, and 4th marathon in the last 7 months. With only 7 weeks between Tokyo and Boston, it was a quick turnaround and my legs felt a little banged up. Nonetheless, I had several great workouts and aimed to go for my PR. I executed my fueling strategy perfectly and did not have any stomach issues, but my legs felt very flat during the first half despite breathing easily. After gaining energy through the Wellesley College ‘scream tunnel’, I felt great through the Newton Hills. As I headed downhill past Boston College and into Brookline my legs began to flirt with cramping. I slowed a decent amount between 35-41km, but I got a final wind in the last 1k and closed hard down Hereford and Boylston streets. Despite the hills and incessant sun, I finished only 51 seconds slower than my PR from a cold and flat Chicago Marathon. The 2025 Boston Marathon was another reminder that every marathon is a celebration, fashion weekend, and learning opportunity.
Jordan Whetstone | RH Founder, Athlete Advocate and Charity Runner
Back for my 4th Boston Marathon, my 3rd Boston in prayer for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Peoples, and back for community. What an experience. With each opportunity to visit, connect, and create, community gatherings and opportunities to see people you admire from social media, just fills your heart cup.
I ran in prayer for missing and murdered loved ones, for their families, for our communities, for our younger and next generations, and holding space for other issues, like protecting our trans kin and for the genocide that is continuously happening in Gaza. It’s a privilege to be able to run, to be able to create these spaces with community, to participate, and to just live right now during times that are very scary, uncertain, and triggering for many. It wasn’t the best marathon I ran, it was hot, and I knew from the start, it was going to be heart and grit to get to the finish. The crowds fueled me, revived me, and encouraged me to keep one foot in front of the other, to keep running in prayer, for joy, for my loved ones. When times were tough and hurt, I reflected on all Rising Hearts has done, does, and will do. I reflected on the community events I was able to join during my time in Boston. Opportunities to keep learning and investing in community in the ways I can. Remembering the joy that was seen and felt watching community be together in these spaces that were organized by community with the running industry. More can happen. More to come. And I’m so here for it.
For my specific prayers and opportunity to bring awareness for families, was for Emily Pike and Cole Brings Plenty. I was able to connect with the families and/or the voices for the families, to get their blessing, help bring visibility to their messaging, the donations for their efforts, and to raise awareness about the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Peoples, with May 5th, National Day of Awareness, Mourning, and Action for MMIWP and my May 5th Marathon for Justice. So much as happened since 2019 Boston Marathon, in bringing MMIWP to that race and platform, wearing the red handprint, and the names and prayers I carried, my life changed. And I can’t imagine running being any different now than by using it as a means to build community, discuss things that need to be included, hold space for those that can’t be here, and still enjoy running. Running for Justice, still continues.
So much has changed, grown, and opportunities to bring resources, and share them through my running and for Rising Hearts, is something I’m running for now. I want to give back in a big way to Rising Hearts, since it’s not just giving back to just Rising Hearts, it’s the opportunity to give back to all we do, and who we support. Help me reach my goal of raising $5,000 for Rising Hearts. Let’s keep creating community and seeing the faces and hearing the voices we want to see and learn from!
Race: Boston Marathon to Global Running Day | June 4, 2025
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $5,000
FUNDS RAISED: $201
Follow Jordan on IG: @nativein_la
Daryl Murphy | RH Athlete Advocate and Charity Runner
“Boston Marathon 2025 - The Race Recap
This was my first Boston and 6th marathon overall. It was the best marathon experience I ever had and it was my slowest finish time yet by almost 30mins. The crowds, the course, the competition at Boston is top notch and 1 of 1. I am so glad I have these videos to re-live the experience and share with the ones that care.
The last few weeks l've been seeing a lot of commentary online about folks recording themselves during races. Many of those comments have been negative and talking down at people that do that. This was the first marathon I ever recorded myself and I would 100% do it again. My only regret is not recording even more of the experience. Like my stop at the medical tent around mile 23 - man I wish I had some footage of that!
My goal coming into this race was to break 3 hours and do it with even splits. I was on right on pace until the dreaded Newton Hills. Yes those hills ripped my heart right out of my chest and broke me. It was the first time I ever stopped running and walked on the marathon course. I walked for about 1.5miles until stopping at the medical tent.
This is Boston Marathon one of the most prestigious races in the world and I knew I would finish no matter what. And I did not want to walk across the finish line - I wanted to run! So I stopped at the medical tent to make that happen. Besides the Newton Hills, I was also dealing with some discomfort in my feet that started around mile 7. By mile 22 that pain was unbearable and every step was like hot lava. I felt really ashamed to walk at first like I was a failure. Then the crowd became so encouraging and I relished in being able to interact with all the supporters on the course. I was taking oranges, bananas, popsicles! And talking with loved ones on the phone. I know the Boston purists will hate this but I loved it!
After leaving the medical tent I was rejuvenated and could run. I thought man why didn't I go to the medical tent sooner. Nonetheless it was my best marathon finish by far. The last two miles were like a victory lap I was again running with joy - high fives to the spectators and passing other runners!
Boston I hope we meet again...
You can learn more at: www.milesforjustice.org
Listen to Daryl’s story with The SPARC Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/79vMJmKwndZwDQNSMjozzq?si=6625aa40b1284b28
Race: 2025 Boston Marathon | April
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $1000
FUNDS RAISED: $876
Follow Daryl on IG: @stretchmurphy
RUN WITH PURPOSE
For 2025, we have raised over $9,000 so far with had several runners raise funds through their races and events! Here’s a chance to support our heart work through a different means - running, movement, events for Rising Hearts! We hope to find 15 runners for 2025!
2025 RACES ARE OPEN!
OPTION ONE:
WANT TO RACE FOR RISING HEARTS OUTSIDE OF THESE WE HAVE SELECTED?
Not seeing a race you want to run in this list? Check out all of the Wander Project events and choose the “Your Choice” option. They will reach out to learn more about your charity of choice and once you let them know that you’ll be running for Rising Hearts, they will make sure your funds come to support our mission!”
Athletes who want to support Rising Hearts for a race that is not listed, can sign up for any of the events on The Wander Project calendar: https://www.wanderproject.org/event-partners/ and pick 'Your Choice' for charity and then fill out the form to indicate they want to support Rising Hearts: (FAQ page here: https://www.wanderproject.org/athletes/frequently-asked-questions/)
OPTION TWO:
This is more new for us! We have a givelively link specifically for runners/individuals, who want to raise funds for the heart work we do! If it’s not through our partnership with The Wander Project, or our other partners at CIM or Boston, you can run for Rising Hearts at any race you choose and bring more fun and purpose to your why and the run.
Suggested fundraising limits:
RH Athletes / Community = $500
Open to Community = minimum $800
Perks: RH Singlet, merch, stickers, fuel, and if shoes are needed, we can help you!
Reach out to us via email, info@rising-hearts.org. Share with us your plans, then we’ll set you up with the link!
