Crossing the Finish Line: A Father-Daughter Journey from Tragedy to Triumph

February 18, 2025

When Isabella came to her dad and told him she wanted to run a marathon this year, and she wanted to do it for Special Olympics Massachusetts, Jamie was all in. He already knew a thing or two about going the Xtra Mile.


In 2013, Jamie Zito was 25 miles into his third Boston Marathon when he heard that a bomb had gone off at the finish line. In that moment, he thought his life was over. All he could do was run like his life depended on it, because it did. His wife, Natasha and and two daughters, Isabella and Ava were at the finish line, and he had no way to reach them.

He ran 28 miles that day.


After finding out they were safe, but shaken up, 12 years later, Isabella is looking to be Brave in the Attempt. She is ready to confront the place where, as a 9-year-old girl, she experienced the worst day of her life.


Isabella is an intern with the Boston Bruins and works alongside Special Olympics Athlete, John Dunleavy. Jamie also knows John from working for Delaware North, a parent company of the Boston Bruins. Isabella’s passion for Special Olympics has brought Jamie out of marathon retirement and the father-daughter duo are looking to move forward from this traumatic experience by crossing the finish line together this year.

When Isabella came to her dad and told him she wanted to run a marathon this year, and she wanted to do it for Special Olympics Massachusetts, Jamie was all in. He already knew a thing or two about going the Xtra Mile.


In 2013, Jamie Zito was 25 miles into his third Boston Marathon when he heard that a bomb had gone off at the finish line. In that moment, he thought his life was over. All he could do was run like his life depended on it, because it did. His wife, Natasha and and two daughters, Isabella and Ava were at the finish line, and he had no way to reach them.

He ran 28 miles that day.


After finding out they were safe, but shaken up, 12 years later, Isabella is looking to be Brave in the Attempt. She is ready to confront the place where, as a 9-year-old girl, she experienced the worst day of her life.


Isabella is an intern with the Boston Bruins and works alongside Special Olympics Athlete, John Dunleavy. Jamie also knows John from working for Delaware North, a parent company of the Boston Bruins. Isabella’s passion for Special Olympics has brought Jamie out of marathon retirement and the father-daughter duo are looking to move forward from this traumatic experience by crossing the finish line together this year.

label

Articles related

Text Link
Ryan Dixon Hall of Fame Induction

To say Ryan Dixon is a worthy Special Olympics Massachusetts Hall of Famer is a bit of an understatement. Ryan has played almost every sport available in the state, raised many thousands of dollars through various fundraisers...

Text Link
Pro Sports Recap - 2023 PGA Championship

The winner of the 2023 PGA Championship may have been Brooks Koepka, who has won this event for the 3rd time since 2018. But the winner of the day belongs to 46 year old Michael Block.

Text Link
First-time swimmer takes home the Bronze at Bridgewater State Qualifier

First-time Living Independently Forever (LIFE) Special Olympics athlete swimmer Matt Oremland competed in his first Special Olympics Swimming Qualifier at Bridgewater State University.