877. My Boston Marathon Pep Talk

In this heartfelt pep talk for Boston Marathon weekend, host Allie Feller shares her personal journey from a non-runner in rural New Hampshire to becoming a central figure in the Boston Marathon experience. She recounts growing up in a dance-centric world, discovering running in New York City after a chance encounter with a runner friend, and eventually launching the 'Allie on the Run' podcast. Her path to the Boston Marathon wasn't through qualifying as a runner, but by boldly reaching out—sending an email to Jack Fleming of the BAA to join the finish line announcing team in 2022. That leap led to years of deep involvement, including live broadcasts, interviews with legends like David Ortiz and Rob Gronkowski, and even hosting events at the Expo. Her story takes a profound turn with her 2023 breast cancer diagnosis, yet she found strength in the running community during treatment. Returning to Boston in 2024, she stood on the finish line with her mother—whose dream was to meet Gronkowski—symbolizing both personal triumph and the power of community. Feller closes with a powerful message: you don’t need to run the race to belong. Just show up, send the email, and be part of the magic.