Boston’s pavement since 1897 has been part of an iconic tradition of the Boston Marathon. Around 30,000 runners lace up for a tradition that’s been pounding, and when that happens, you get stories, thousands of them. Heartbreak Hill comebacks. Finish-line tears. Unthinkable grit from 128 nations converging on one legendary course. The Boston Marathon is a living, breathing time capsule of endurance and human spirit. And this year?

The 129th edition is no exception. In fact, it might just add a chapter nobody saw coming. Sure, world champions and age-group warriors will headline. But hidden in that sea of bibs is a tale that’s quietly stealing the spotlight. What is that?

Well, as dawn breaks over Hopkinton this Patriots’ Day, something remarkable awaits among the sea of runners. On this historic April 21, 71-year-old Eugene Delsener will take his place at the starting line. He’s not your typical Boston Marathon story. While elite athletes chase records and first-timers battle nerves, Eugene stands apart—the oldest Concordian ever to tackle the legendary course, as reported by The Concord Bridge.  But his journey to Boston’s storied pavement didn’t follow the usual path.

Surprisingly, Eugene Delsener started running long distances only in his mid-50s. After finishing his first half-marathon in Portsmouth, he had a simple reaction that changed everything: “That was fun. I felt pretty good. You know, it’s like, ‘Yeah, I could do more.'”

And “more” became his mantra, and from completing the 2018 New York City Marathon alongside his daughter to conquering the Appalachian Trail over four years, Eugene’s adventures have only grown bolder with age.  “I did Kilimanjaro, hiked in Bhutan. I just got back from Patagonia,” he shares. “I’m usually one of the oldest on those teams… sometimes in the back of the pack, and then sometimes at the front.”

Now, running to raise money for Massachusetts General Hospital, Eugene approaches Boston with the same quiet determination that carried him through mountains and valleys across the world. His training—modest by elite standards at 15 to 25 miles weekly—mirrors his philosophy. “There’s something about going to that next level,” he explains. “It’s not that I have to hit a certain time… I just want to be able to run the miles, enjoy it, and finish strong.”

Well, Eugene Delsener is one remarkable entry to the Boston Marathon, but he is not the only one.

Some Marathoners who are running for a cause at the Boston Marathon 2025

Honestly, the Boston Marathon isn’t just about world-class athletes pushing their limits. It’s about everyday heroes running with their hearts wide open, carrying stories that’ll bring you to tears at the finish line.

Take Reshab Chhabra, who’s running with a promise that’ll break your heart. His best friend from high school dreamed of running in Boston before brain cancer took her away too soon. “I wanted to finish it for her,” he confesses, his voice catching, “because I saw how much pain she went through.” Now, he’s pounding the pavement for Brigham & Women’s Hospital’s Stepping Strong Center, making sure most of his fundraising goes toward brain cancer research.

Then there’s Team Fox, where runners like Ella Hedman aren’t just chasing medals, they’re fighting Parkinson’s disease with every step. Frankly, when Ella talks about her grandfather battling PD for 14 years, you can hear the fierce pride in her voice. “His resilience and strength inspire me every day,” she says, lacing up her shoes in his honor.

Gary Hornbeek runs with memories of his mother, Mary, who lived with Parkinson’s for 15 years before passing in 2022. The truth is, Gary’s not stopping at Boston. “I’ve previously run NYC, Chicago and Berlin with Team Fox,” he shares. The truth is, as these runners join the thousands streaming through Massachusetts towns, they will transform this prestigious event into something far more meaningful than a race.