Closing In on 26.2

As race day nears, the miles reveal something deeper than distance.

April 8, 2026

There’s a moment, somewhere between the early morning training runs and the quiet miles no one sees, when something shifts.

It stops being just about running.

It becomes about why.

For the Special Olympics New Hampshire Runs Boston team, that “why” is as powerful as the finish line itself. And as race day draws closer, what’s unfolding isn’t just preparation—it’s a collection of stories stitched together by determination, connection, and the belief that something bigger is waiting at the end of 26.2 miles.

Finding Strength in the Second Time Around

For SONH athlete Ben Langlois, this isn’t new—but it is different.

Last year, he crossed the marathon finish line for the very first time. This year, he’s returning with something he didn’t have before: experience.

He knows where the miles get tough. He knows what his body needs. And he’s adjusted because of it.

His training looks different now—more intentional, more consistent. Instead of pulling back too early like he felt he did last year, he’s staying warm, tapering gradually, and dialing in a strategy that will carry him all the way through. This year, he’s leaning into a walk-run approach, building in intervals every few miles so he can stay strong, steady, and in control from start to finish.

But the biggest thing he’s carrying into this race isn’t just a plan.

It’s people.

When Ben decided to take on his first half marathon, Mark didn’t just cheer him on—he ran it with him.

And just a few weeks ago, at a Tip-A-Runner event, Mark showed up again. This time to support Ben in a different way—encouraging him, backing him, reminding him that he’s not doing this alone.

That kind of support doesn’t fade.

It shows up in the miles. In the mindset. In the moments when it would be easier to slow down.

And for Ben, it’s part of what’s pushing him forward—every step of the way.

Chasing the World Stage

SONH athlete Thomas Cantara is no stranger to this stage.

This year marks his third time taking on the marathon as a professional runner in the T20 division. But even for someone who has already accomplished so much, the dream keeps expanding.

With Sydney, Australia now joining the Abbott World Marathon Majors, Thomas has his sights set even higher.

Because for athletes like Thomas, it’s never just about finishing.

It’s about seeing how far the road can really go.

First Miles, Lifelong Impact

For SONH athlete Jason Menard and long-time SONH volunteer Amanda Horvath, this journey is brand new—and already unforgettable.

Neither had ever gone the full distance before. Twelve miles was Jason’s longest. Half marathons were Amanda’s ceiling.

And yet, here they are.

Training through winter storms. Logging miles through snow-covered roads. Pushing forward when conditions would have been an easy excuse to stop.

But something unexpected has happened along the way.

The miles have started to blur—not because they’re easy, but because they’re shared.

They talk. They laugh. They keep each other going.

Six miles quietly becomes eight. Eight stretches into more.

And somewhere in between, the impossible begins to feel… manageable.

Jason brings his experience as a Special Olympics athlete. Amanda brings years of volunteerism, with her entire family woven into the SONH community.

Together, they’re not just running a marathon.

They’re carrying that community with them every step of the way.

A Full-Circle Moment

For Lauren MacArthur, running has always been part of her life.

It’s been there in sports growing up. In her family. In the example set by her mother—a lifelong runner who helped inspire Lauren to take on something she’s never done before: her first marathon.

And not just any marathon.

With a goal of finishing in under four hours, Lauren set the bar high from the start. But through steady, consistent training, she’s right where she needs to be—building confidence with every mile and closing in on a goal that once felt just out of reach.

But what makes this moment even more meaningful is how it all connects back.

Lauren’s journey with Special Olympics New Hampshire began in high school, when she got involved with the Exeter Area Athletes. Each spring, as the season began, she found herself back outside—coaching, supporting, and building relationships with athletes that would stay with her long after the season ended.

Some of her favorite memories come from those days.

Now, years later, she’s taking on her first marathon in support of that same community.

What started as a way to give back has come full circle—carrying her from the sidelines to the starting line, with every mile rooted in the relationships and experiences that shaped her along the way.

Inspired by the Athletes She Runs For

For Alanna, this journey started with showing up.

A few years ago, she volunteered at Special Olympics New Hampshire’s Athlete Leadership program—working alongside athletes as they built skills in public speaking, leadership, and confidence. What she saw there stayed with her.

Strength. Courage. A willingness to step forward and try something new.

Now, as she trains for her first marathon, she finds herself drawing on those same qualities.

Training hasn’t been easy. Long runs through a snowy New Hampshire winter have tested her physically and mentally. But she hasn’t been doing it alone.

Being part of the SONH Runs Boston team has brought encouragement, shared knowledge, and a sense of accountability that’s helped carry her through the toughest miles. There’s something powerful about being surrounded by people who care deeply about the same mission—and who are all pushing toward the same goal.

And on the days when motivation is harder to find, she has a reminder waiting for her right at home.

A cheer poster, made just for her, hanging by her front door.

A small but powerful symbol of why she keeps going.

Because for Alanna, this isn’t just about training for a marathon.

It’s about honoring the strength she’s seen in SONH athletes—and doing her part to reflect it, mile by mile.

Experience Meets Inspiration

Marcos De Sa has run marathons across the country.

Dozens of them.

Including 13 previous Boston Marathons.

But this year feels different.

Because this year, it’s not just about the miles—it’s about the people.

Years ago, Marcos met a young runner just starting to explore long-distance racing: Thomas Cantara. Back then, Marcos offered guidance, advice, and encouragement.

Now?

He finds himself inspired right back.

That’s what makes this team special.

Experience flowing into new beginnings. Mentorship turning into mutual respect. A group of runners, each with their own story, moving forward together.

And for Marcos, that’s what sets this journey apart from any other he’s been on.

More Than a Race—A Reason to Rally

These runners are doing something extraordinary.

Not just because 26.2 miles is hard.

But because every mile they run is in support of something bigger—ensuring that Special Olympics New Hampshire athletes have access to year-round sports, competition, and community.

They’re training in the dark. In the cold. In the quiet.

So that others can have the chance to compete, to belong, to be seen.

Be Part of the Journey

This team is close.

The miles are adding up. The finish line is coming into focus.

And right now—this moment—is where your support makes the biggest impact.

Whether you donate, share their stories, or show up to cheer them on, you become part of what’s carrying them forward.

Because no one runs 26.2 miles alone.

And this team?

They’re running for all of us.