Growing up George Tzortzis watched the Boston Marathon every year. That tradition has continued through his adult years watching with his sister (until she moved out of the country) and friends. This year his family and friends will be cheering for him on the route as he takes on his first marathon, running Boston for Special Olympics Massachusetts. George has been running distance since high school but has only raced a handful of times in shorter distances runs. For him, “running gives me time to let loose, sometimes listen to new tunes, sometimes listen to my surroundings, but most of all time to relax.”…

… which would you choose Florida is where most beach-goers flock in March. But Michelle Nye is not your typical beach-goer. This Florida resident, instead, packed her bags and headed to Nantasket Beach in Hull, Massachusetts for her ocean vacation. Why Massachusetts in March? Nye wanted to cross something off her bucket list that had been there for years. She joined hundreds of others who braved the single digit wind chills and 41-degree water temps to jump into the Atlantic Ocean at Special Olympics Massachusetts’ annual Nantasket Beach Polar Plunge on Saturday, March 4. Nye took the icy dip in stride, “it felt…

The Boston Marathon has always drawn an international crowd with over 90 countries represented each year. Athletes come from near and far come to partake in this prestigious race. How far you ask? For Adil Nargolwala, it’s 7,129 miles. In April, Adil will journey from his home in New Delhi, India to our fine city to run the 2017 Boston Marathon. Now that’s dedication. But this devotion is not a new thing for Adil. He has always strived for greatness, participating in over one hundred half marathons and races worldwide. While that may seem like a great accomplishment to us…

The Boston Marathon brings out a unique sense of pride in each person who is a part of it. Maybe it’s watching the runners cross the finish line and imagining the courage and dedication it took to get there. Maybe it’s racing alongside your fellow athletes as you listen to the crowds cheer on Patriot’s Day. Or maybe it’s the selfless acts of many supporting hundreds of charities and their causes. This is what really makes the Boston Marathon so powerful, the charitable spirit behind it. Nick Bennet knows this better than anyone. Growing up, Nick and his family…

Resilient, persistent, ambitious and courageous. These are just a few words that we would use to describe Derek McCleary and his journey to the 2017 Boston Marathon. Derek never thought in a million years that he would be able to run the 26.2 miles that it takes to complete a marathon. Derek was born and raised a true Bostonian. Growing up in Dorchester, MA, Derek’s inspiration came to him a few years ago when he decided to take a big look at his life. He wanted to work on his health and overall be a better person. Derek wanted…

By Emme Punches, Special Olympics Massachusetts Events Coordinator The athletes who run the Boston Marathon pull their inspiration from many different aspects of their lives. For Kalyn Tebbetts, inspiration comes from the core of Special Olympics-our athletes. In her work at Latham Center, Kalyn has watched her students participate in Special Olympics and has witnessed the positive impact it has had on their lives. “I have seen my students grow from their participation in Special Olympics. They have become more self-assure and their self-esteem increases when they participate. They take pride in representing our school and promoting the idea…

Building inclusive communities is the cornerstone of what Special Olympics is all about. This spirit of generosity, inclusion and volunteerism helps to connect the community as a whole. The work of Mike Allard and his son Ben is a perfect example of how creating an inclusive community raises awareness and brings people together. This weekend, March 4-5, 2017,  the greater Marlborough region will host two notable events – on Saturday, the second annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge for Special Olympics will take place at the Yawkey Sports Training Center in Marlborough followed up by Sunday’s Juniors/Player Development Basketball Tournament…

Running the 26.2 miles of the Boston Marathon will be a first for Reena Shah, Special Olympics Boston Marathon team member. But technically she’s been in training for the last seven year, having completed five half marathons and countless shorter races over those years. And like many of our team members it is something that’s been on her bucket list since she was a child growing up in the Framingham, MA. “I grew up watching the Boston Marathon runners on the route in Framingham. I also had the opportunity to volunteer in the medical tent as a physical therapy…

How many people can say “I’m a 2017 Special Olympics World Games athlete”? Out of the 12,000+  athletes in Massachusetts, only four can. And speed skater Patrick Adams is one of them. An experienced World Games athlete, Adams, previously competed in 2009 World Games in Idaho and the Special Olympics National Games in Iowa. But for Adams the 2017 World Games in Austria was different. Adams wanted to be a part of the 2017 games because “he loves to speed skate and enjoys competing with other athletes from different countries. It is a fun challenge and a great way…

“It means a lot to me to show America how hard I’ve worked to develop my skiing ability so that I can represent my country,” shared Rebecca Robinson, 2017 Special Olympics World Games athlete. Becky, as her teammates call her, is one of four Massachusetts athletes representing the United States at World Games in Austria in March. When told she was going, “I felt excited but it took a while for me to realize that I was really going and what an honor it was.” Receiving such an honor does not come without practice and preparation. Robinson’s serious training…