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Why I’m Running: ‘The 128th Boston Marathon will be my crowning star’

Tonya Bradley is running the 2024 Boston Marathon for the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts.

Tonya Bradley is running the 2024 Boston Marathon.

By Kristina DaPonte

In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon runners share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston. If you’re running the marathon, you can share your story here.

Name: Tonya Bradley
Age: 50
From: Houston, Texas

The 128th Boston Marathon will be my crowning star. Chasing these stars started in 2023, with the desire to complete a fun and exciting marathon during my 50th birth year. It was an outlandish notion for two reasons. One of those reasons is that at the time of making the decision, I had only run two half marathons. Nevertheless, I went for it. Surprisingly, I gained entry into the 2023 London and New York City marathons. I was soon toying with the idea of trying for all six majors because, to me, it made little sense to only run two of them.

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The other reason I thought this journey to be outlandish is because I manage multiple autoimmune disorders, including SLE lupus and Sjogren’s syndrome. With both of these diseases, my immune system attacks my body, including vital organs and bodily functions, often rendering me incapable of doing much, let alone run.

Although training for and running any distance can be physically difficult, I’ve managed to rise to the challenge and get through those difficult moments. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to complete all six because getting into Boston didn’t seem attainable. Fortunately, I was selected to run and fundraise for the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, an organization whose focus and mission resonates with me. I truly believe in the positive impact ULEM makes on individuals at a critical point in their lives, as my local Urban League has supported me in the past. 

If I’m successful after toeing the start line in Hopkinton on April 15, I will have completed my World Marathon Majors six-star journey in a little less than 12 months. While still in a state of disbelief, I’m proud of myself for not giving up.

Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.