On April 20, 2026, God willing, I will cross the start line in Hopkinton and run 26.2 miles to Boylston Street for the 130th running of the Boston Marathon.
I’ve heard there is only one Boston — there is no other race like it in the world. It is the oldest annual marathon, and qualifying for it is no easy feat. The race is held on Patriots’ Day, a statewide holiday on the third Monday of April that commemorates the first battles of the Revolutionary War. On "Marathon Monday," Boston and every town along the route transform into a massive, celebratory party. Adding to the energy are the Red Sox, who play an early home game at Fenway Park every year; fans pour out of the stadium at the game’s end, flooding the streets right at mile 25.5 of the course.
“I wonder what it would take to qualify for Boston?” I have the exact date the thought went through my mind: April 3, 2017. After beating my sub-four-hour goal in my first marathon later that year, every marathon that followed was an attempt at a “BQ” — a Boston-qualifying time with enough buffer to make the cutoff. Seven years and eight marathons later, I BQ’d with a nine-minute margin, enough to make it into Boston 2026.
Every other epic long-distance event I’ve participated in — a cross-country bike ride in 2007 to launch Scripture listening groups for the Kekchi of Guatemala and a 24-hour ride from Orlando to Key West for New Testament translation for the Akebu of Togo — has opened doors of blessing that would have otherwise not opened. Learning to push myself to new limits for a cause like Bible translation has led to life-changing experiences.
Running Boston is just another way to pour my heart, soul, and strength into the most important things in my life. Jesus is everything. God’s Word and people are eternal and precious.
A team of Konkomba speakers is working to translate the first portions of God’s Word in their language! This project will translate eight New Testament books and the "JESUS" film, equipping the community with resources for discipleship and evangelism. These materials will be shared through churches, families, radio, literacy centers, websites, and social media platforms, fostering spiritual growth and impacting lives and entire communities for eternity.
My goal is to raise $26,200 — exactly $1,000 for every mile from Hopkinton to Boylston Street.
Your gift of one verse (approximately $35) or 10 verses (or more) will get me and the Konkomba one mile closer to the finish line!
Will you join me? Let’s run!
Boston, here we come!
John 3:16 - Jan 31, 2026 - 12.2 miles, 1:45:21, 8:43/mi
Jn 10:10 - Feb 14, 2026 - 14 miles, 2:01:59, 8:42/mi
Mt 6:33 - Feb 7, 2026 - 13 miles, 1:53:09, 8:42/mi
II Pt 1:3-4 - Feb 21, 2026 - 14 miles, 2:02:47, 8:46/mi