Team Running Joyfully at the 2025 Boston Marathon
The 2025 Boston Marathon was a historic one for Running Joyfully - we had our biggest crew to date! From the roar of the Hopkinton start to the iconic Boylston Street finish, our athletes brought grit, gratitude, and joy to every mile of the course. With personal bests, course PRs, and unforgettable Boston debuts, this year’s race was a celebration of community and connection. Months of focused training and dedication paid off on Patriots’ Day and we couldn’t be prouder of our team!
PR’s a Plenty!
Emily Oster: 3:14
After a stellar marathon debut at CIM in 2023, Emily was ready for her first Boston Marathon. Together with Coach Kaitlin, they took what worked for Emily’s first marathon and built on it with a little more volume, a little more intensity, and a LOT more hills. One of Coach Kaitlin’s highlights of Boston weekend was Emily saying that the Boston hills weren’t that bad - this means we did the right amount of hill training! Emily executed her training plan to a T despite a busy work and travel schedule, and she simultaneously worked on her race day mindset. With clear process goals for race day, Emily prioritized running controlled early so that she could thrive in the Newton Hills, and thrive she did! It was a hard day but a great day, and she fought every step of the way to a PR, never settling or pulling back and earning a 3 minute personal best of 3:14.
Lizzie Thooft: 3:14
Lizzie, coached by Coach Kacy, had a long road to Boston - she has qualified but missed the accepted entry cutoff by mere seconds, has seen the qualifying time lower twice, and has had a journey of rebuilding her body and relationship with running post eating disorder treatment. Lizzie had a fantastic build to Boston this year, and we just knew something special was in store for her. This emotional tie to the race coalesced perfectly with Lizzie’s physical preparation, and she ran a 3:14 at Boston - a 5 minute marathon PR (no easy feat in Boston!). She executed the race like a champ, even splitting with a perfect 1:37:21 through half way - you never would have guessed this was Lizzie’s first Boston! We’re so excited and proud of her result and are so grateful to have been on this journey to Boston with her!
Meg Sapp: 3:15
What an incredible day for Meg! Coached by Coach Steph, Meg finished with a 3:15, running a 2 minute PR. Boston holds some tough memories for Meg and her family, so it was incredibly special for her to have such a spectacular performance with all her family there to support her. After a strong buildup that included a half marathon PR in Houston, Meg came to Boston mentally and physically prepared. She executed her race plan perfectly, staying steady throughout and finishing with joy and momentum. We couldn’t be prouder of Meg’s incredible run!
Merika Koday: 4:47
Merika ran a perfectly executed race to notch a 1 minute PR on Boston's challenging course, improving upon her 4:47 marathon from Chicago. This busy working toddler mom prioritized hills and long runs in her training and was rewarded with a personal best. Coached by Coach Kaitlin, Merika made an amazing impact fundraising for Every Mother Counts - we couldn’t be more proud!
Johanna Stroever: 3:31
What a race for Jo - 3:31 and a 2 minute PR! Guided by Coach Katie, Jo’s consistency and strong training cycle set her up for a breakthrough. After a slight hamstring scare in early March, she and Coach Katie made a few adjustments to training and she was back on track, hitting strong marathon-paced tempos. On race day, she was a metronome, running steady and finishing right at her goal. We know a sub-3:30 is within reach and can’t wait to see what’s next for Jo!
Kyley Herring: 3:21
A Boston breakthrough for Kyley and a 4 minute PR! Coached by Coach Katie, Kyley’s build was all about balance: after a fall reset to address low ferritin and focus on recovery, she came into the Boston training block feeling both stronger and more grounded. This winter she embraced the hills in training, prioritized long runs, and even got in some recon on the course itself. After navigating a crowded start, Kyley found her rhythm and held strong through the late miles, fighting hard all the way to the finish. A well-earned PR and a race full of grit!
Coach Amy Sanchez: 3:10
Coach Amy had an absolutely spectacular Boston performance, running a joyful and fast 3:10 in a 5 minute PR! With the support of her kids and husband, Amy was able to put together a stellar training cycle and a perfect race day. After deferring Boston last year due to pregnancy, Amy was back in 2025 with a vengeance; she crushed the hills, embraced the crowd, and in her words, “I got everything I could’ve wanted out of this race!” Way to go, Coach Amy!
Sub-3:00 Standouts
Allie Hackett: 2:47
Allie toed the line in the pro field at this year's Boston Marathon, and after battling injuries in past marathon builds, we celebrated her getting to this starting line healthy and in one piece! Coach Kaitlin and her worked together to build a conservative training block prioritizing health and sustainability. While she ran most of the race solo, she kept her eyes up and kept hunting ladies down, always charging forward with a smile to a top 100 finish and 2:47 final time. We are proud of you Allie!
Bridget Tobias: 2:51
Bridget came into Boston with a goal of enJOYing the marathon - prioritizing falling back in love with the marathon and rebuilding confidence. Working with Coach Kaitlin, Bridget held time goals more loosely and prioritized a joyful process, and lo and behold, the time took care of itself! She smiled her way to a 3 min PR in 2:51 and finished in the top 125 women overall!
Selvi Rajagopal: 2:47
After a big PR at the NYC Marathon last fall, Selvi had big goals going into Boston and she went after them with a vengeance! Coached by Coach Kaitlin, Selvi’s early miles proved a bit aggressive and some fast paces out of Hopkinton meant that the second half of the race was harder than we wanted it to be; but she still ran within a minute of her personal best and placed in the top 100 women overall, finishing in 2:47! We are proud of her and excited for more fast times ahead!
Krystyna Rytel: 2:53
Krystyna encountered a few hiccups in her training block and on race day, but she knows how to work the problem and find a solution! After a little niggle cropped up partway through her buildup, Krystyna and Coach Kaitlin decided to double down on cross-training and prioritized rest to get her to the Boston start line healthy. On race day, she dealt with some cramping, but again she worked the problem and was able to run down a 5 minute PR in 2:53! After earning a half marathon PR during the Boston build, we know Krystyna is knocking on the door of yet another marathon breakthrough!
Alex Macchi: 3:00
3:00 and a very a solid performance for Alex! Trained by Coach Katie, Alex approached this cycle with the goal of having fun, staying consistent, and enjoying the process. They didn’t focus on running killer workouts, but instead prioritized steady training and race day enjoyment. The result? A strong race that sets him up perfectly for his fall A goal race in Chicago. This healthy, consistent build will be the foundation for even greater races ahead!
Boston Course PR’s
Rachel Jackson: 3:27
Rachel had a fantastic day, running just barely off her lifetime PR and running a 9 minute Boston course PR (3:27) after a busy past few months! In January, Rachel and her family made a big move from Houston, TX to Australia. She handled this big life change with grace, embracing Perth's heat and hills, and with Coach Kaitlin’s training, she was more than prepared for Boston and its hills. We are overjoyed about this seasoned Boston veteran’s performance on the challenging Boston course!
Kathleen Lambert: 3:57
Kathleen took over 20 minutes off her Boston course PR, running a super 3:57. Coached by Coach Danielle, Kathleen made the most of a quick turnaround after running the Mesa Marathon in February; she capitalized on her fitness to fuel a strong build for Boston. She ran confidently, conquering the Newton Hills with strength. Though the final miles weren’t exactly as planned, she fought hard and came out with a massive course PR! We’re beyond proud of her perseverance, both in training and on race day.
Jess Plavicki: 3:35
Jess had quite the year between the 2024 Boston Marathon and this year. She encountered many health challenges, but she and Coach Kaitlin worked together to make the most of a non-traditional training cycle. We couldn't be prouder of how Jess showed up on Marathon Monday, running a 1 minute course PR (3:35) and within a minute of her lifetime PR. This busy mom repeatedly chose joy in the wake of challenges, and this superpower served her so well in Boston. We can't wait to see what she can do in the marathon this fall with these health challenges behind her!
Liz Newton-Hayes: 3:22
Liz came into Boston fresh off a big PR at the Houston Marathon; we went for another one here, and while the Newton Hills prevented her from running an outright PR, she still ran a 5 minute course PR in her strongest Boston yet, finishing in 3:22! Coached by Coach Kaitlin, Liz has made spectacular progress h in the last year - can't wait for her to tackle some shorter-distance goals next!
Coach Kacy Seynders: 3:11
Coach Kacy came into Boston with a goal of being mentally tough and running a race she could be proud of - and she accomplished this goal! While she wanted more from the time, it still tied her course PR, and we know she is fitter than the performance shows. She ran a really strong last 4 miles, buoyed by the Running Joyfully cheer squad in Brookline. Keep grinding and keep spreading joy, Coach Kacy!
Coach Kaitlin: 2:54
Coach Kaitlin had a solid and especially joyful Boston performance. She ran a 6 minute course PR, but more importantly, she got a PR for high-fives on the course, with the most special ones coming at mile 23 thanks to her son and the Running Joyfully cheer squad. It was a memorable Boston sharing the day with so many teammates and friends!
Boston Memories!
Betty Young: 3:29
Sub 3:30 on a super day for Betty! Her 3:29:47 is no small feat, as this was her 18th consecutive year toeing the line in Hopkinton. With Coach Katie guiding her, Betty showed strength and consistency throughout this marathon training cycle. She ran smart, stayed steady, and found those extra 13 seconds when it counted most. A veteran of Boston and still getting faster!
Jill Marie Kenyon: 3:39
Jill Marie crushed her 9th Boston Marathon and snuck under 3:40 to better the BQ she ran at the Louisiana Marathon earlier this year. Coached by Coach Kaitlin, Jill Marie approaches every race and each day of training with such joy and gratitude, and it powered her to a strong performance yet again!
Cara Cavazza: 4:54
Cara realized a lifelong dream of running the Boston Marathon and she had a magical day out there! Cara soaked in the crowds, the cheers, and the love from her family and friends on the course. For 26.2 miles, she carried her friend and running buddy Suzanne in her heart, who lost her battle with cancer earlier this spring. Coached by Coach Kaitlin, Cara notched another sub-5 marathon despite some hiccups in her buildup, and we are so proud of her and happy she could realize this long-held dream!
TerryAnn Cuozzo: 3:18
TerryAnn’s Boston may not have been the PR she hoped for, but it was a triumph in its own right! Coached by Coach Steph, TerryAnn’s training over the winter made her stronger than ever, and though Heartbreak Hill threw a curveball with a glute cramp, she powered through with grit and grace. The best part of the race? The unwavering support from her family and the Running Joyfully crew to make this hometown marathon truly special. Big things ahead - Chicago, here we come!
Goal-Getters
Virginia Harvey: 3:26
Virginia’s Boston debut was one for the books! Coached by Coach Kacy, Virginia ran a smart, steady race, staying strong and consistent each mile. With a focus on building strength in this training block and staying healthy, Virginia managed to run faster than her "A" race last fall, despite the tougher Boston course. Her steady effort and approach to the build made this an incredibly successful Boston debut!
Laura Solecki: 3:21
A solid Boston performance for Laura! Advised by Coach Kacy, Laura’s focus for this cycle was a stress-free build, ensuring she was strong and fit enough to enjoy the race, and that’s just what she did. She soaked in the Boston Marathon experience and rode the wave all the way to the finish line, beating her goal time with a respectable 3:21 finish. After a successful and enjoyable race day, we're excited to shift gears and focus on shorter distances for the next chapter in her running journey!
Kaitlyn McNamara: 3:06
Kaitlyn came into Boston the fittest she’s been since undergoing back surgery two years ago. In this training block, she battled crazy South Dakota winter winds and rough weather, but with Coach Kacy’s guidance, she got her training done! Kaitlyn had an amazing first half of the race, and in the second half, she decided to focus on enjoying the experience, putting fun and joy first. While her goal was to break 3 hours on this tough course, which we know is in her wheelhouse, the real victory was the strong, healthy buildup that got her to the start line!
Grace in the Grind
Jennie Sheridan: 4:27
4:27 and a story of perseverance for Jennie! Coached by Coach Sarah, Jennie started this marathon cycle dealing with a calf injury, but she adapted with creative cross-training, PT, and strength work. She stayed positive and focused on getting to the start line healthy, reframing expectations along the way. On race day, Jennie ran smart, enjoyed the journey, and embraced the energy of Boston. Despite a short running build, she finished strong - a true testament to her resilience and determination. Way to go, Jennie!
Emma Saart: 3:30
Emma returned to the marathon after over a year away while she focused on shorter distances and trail races. Emma is in the middle of a demanding MD/PhD program in New York as she prepares for her career in medicine. Coached by Coach Kaitlin, her busy program has meant that running looks different in this season of life, but she's still finding joy on the run and she went for it on Marathon Monday! While the outcome wasn't what we hoped for, we are excited for the miles ahead!
Lindsay Close: 4:01
Lindsay had to dig deep for her 10th consecutive Boston Marathon finish (and 13th Boston ever!). Coached by Coach Kaitlin, a very cranky and stubborn plantar meant that Lindsay wasn't able to run for much of the Boston buildup; instead, she was hammering away on the Peloton and spending hours at physical therapy. Lindsay always finds a way to make it to the Boston start and finish lines, even when pregnant, newly postpartum, or with the flu - and this year was no different. Plantar be damned, Lindsay ran on lifetime miles and muscle memory and a whole lot of grit! We are so proud of her and how she fought - and still smiled! - her way to another Boston finish line!
Brooke Macomber: 3:24
An honest effort and a joyful one for Brooke, even on a tough day! Advised by Coach Steph, Brooke came into the race after a demanding winter of training, all while balancing a busy job in tech. Brooke stayed poised and made sure to appreciate the Boston experience, even if her final time of 3:24 wasn’t exactly what she wanted. The fire is lit for what’s next—Brooke is headed to NYC this fall for the Master's Championship field!
Alex Cagan: 4:07
Alex put together a fantastic buildup and was ready for a big breakthrough marathon, but was unfortunately felled by nausea that made for a challenging race day. We are so proud of how she persevered through a tough situation to finish! Coached by Kaitlin, we know there is more ahead for Alex!
We are so grateful to celebrate the BIGGEST Running Joyfully crew ever at Boston 2025! We hope to see even more of you out there smiling from Hopkinton to Boylston in 2026!
