Team Framingham, 25 Runners Strong, Raises $45,000 for 6 Charities

They have been training for months, and tomorrow Team Framingham will take a bus from Loring Arena and head to the starting line of the 118th Boston Marathon in Hopkinton, ready to run 26.2 miles.

Last week, Framingham Selectmen thanked the runners. In total, 25 runners raised $45,000 for six Framingham based charities. 

"Crossing the Boston Marathon finish line this year is going to mean so much after what happened," said Framingham Selectman Mike Bower said, referring to last year's bombings.

Bower, who has run the Boston Marathon in the past, including last year when he could not finish, will run again this year.

Bower, and his fellow Selectmen, this year decided to have a lottery to give away the 25 bibs allotted to the Town of Framingham and ask each of the 25 runners to raise a minimum of $500 for one of six Framingham-based organizations.

"You'll have the medal, and you'll cherish it," said Bower to the runners Wednesday night.

The six charities are Framingham Education Foundation, FYI For the Arts, Friends of the Callahan Senior Center, Pearl Street Cupboard, Framingham Boys & Girls Club and Resiliency for Life.

The Greater Framingham Running Club, with veteran marathoner Ed Stoll, a Framingham resident, worked with the team on training.

Nancie Handie, of FYI for the Arts in Framingham, designed a team logo and each team member received a shirt with the logo.

The list of the 25 runners, their charities and how you can still donate to their campaign can be found here.