The Finish Line Was Just the Beginning

26.2 Miles. Countless Moments. One Incredible Team.

April 28, 2026

There’s a moment—somewhere between the starting line and the finish—when a marathon stops being about miles.

It becomes about something deeper.

For the seven runners of the SONH Runs Boston team, that moment came in different forms. A roar from the crowd. A quiet promise to keep going. A hand reaching out at the finish line. A reminder of why they started in the first place.

Now, a week after race day, one thing is clear:

They didn’t just run a marathon.
They carried something bigger every step of the way.

More Than a Race

For Thomas Cantara, this journey was about pushing limits—and proving what’s possible.

After months of focused training, dialing in his form, and attacking hills with purpose, Thomas crossed the finish line with a personal best and his third consecutive division win.

But ask him what matters most, and it’s not just the time on the clock.

It’s what that time represents.

A message to every athlete watching:

You can achieve hard things. Be patient. The progress will come.

And somewhere near Boston College—when the crowds were loudest and the legs were heaviest—Thomas found the extra push he needed. Not just to finish, but to inspire.

Discipline Meets Belief

For Ben Langlois, this marathon was proof that words mean something when you back them up.

Early mornings. Long runs. Missed nights out. A routine built on discipline.

And on race day?

It all clicked.

Ben shaved 25 minutes off his previous time, finishing in 4:11. But what stuck with him most wasn’t just the improvement—it was the confirmation that he could do exactly what he set out to do.

“Everything I said was backed up by my actions.”

From the electric energy of the Wellesley scream tunnel to the unforgettable finish—crossing the line hand in hand with his friend Jayna—this race became something he’ll carry with him far beyond Boston.

Because for Ben, this isn’t the end.

It’s just the beginning.

Running for Something More

For Amanda Horvath, the journey started as a personal challenge—a bucket list moment.

But somewhere along the way, it transformed.

What began as “something to fill her cup” became something far more meaningful: helping her teammate Jason reach the finish line.

Through months of training—through winter miles, strength work, and sacrifice—Amanda showed up ready.

And on race day, she delivered.

Together, they crossed in 4:18, surpassing their shared goal.

But the moment she’ll never forget?

That hug at the finish line.

That overwhelming wave of emotion.

That realization that this was never just about running.

“It was so happy and full of good people doing amazing things… I’ve never seen anything like it.”

The Power of a Team

Across every story, one theme rises above the rest:

No one did this alone.

From teammates who trained together…
To families who cheered from the sidelines…
To communities that rallied behind them…

And to every single person who donated, shared, and believed in what this team was doing—

You were part of every mile.

Because while these seven runners crossed the finish line in Boston…

They were running for thousands.

For athletes across New Hampshire who now have more opportunities to train, compete, and belong.

For future athletes who will step onto a field, a court, or a starting line because of what this team made possible.

For a movement that continues to prove—every single day—that ability is limitless.

One Final Push

The race may be over.

But the impact is still growing.

If you’ve followed this journey…
If you’ve been inspired by these stories…
If you believe in what Special Olympics New Hampshire makes possible—

There’s still time to be part of it.

Make a donation today in honor of this team.
Celebrate their miles by creating opportunities for the athletes who come next.

Because the finish line isn’t the end of this story.

It’s the beginning of something even bigger.

Thank You for Believing

To our runners: you showed us what determination, heart, and purpose look like in motion.

To our supporters: you turned miles into meaning.

And to every athlete watching—

This is what’s possible.

Now it’s your turn. 🏃‍♂️