AGAWAM — For Agawam resident Cindy Lilly, crossing the Boston Marathon finish line wasn’t just the culmination of months of training — it was the realization of a lifelong dream fueled by a powerful purpose.
“I’ve always had running Boston in the back of my mind as a goal I’d love to achieve,” said Lilly, a demand manager at Collins Aerospace and longtime Make-A-Wish supporter. “I’m not a fast runner, so I knew qualifying wouldn’t be an option.”
Lilly found her path to Boston through a conversation at her part-time bartending job at Longmeadow Country Club. Dr. Phil Glynn and his wife, Thomasina, active supporters of Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island, suggested she run as part of their charity team. After an interview process, Lilly immediately accepted.
“Having the opportunity to run a marathon that had been on my list, plus being able to raise money for an amazing charity, was an opportunity I could not pass up,” she said. “Knowing that every dollar raised goes directly to a child’s wish being granted is a great feeling.”
Inspired by her experience working Make-A-Wish’s Swish Night fundraiser, Lilly had seen firsthand the difference a wish can make. “Hearing the parents speak about how their child had the opportunity to break away from hospital visits and just have time to be a child, you can’t help but feel emotional,” she said. “Being able to raise money and know that I had a direct impact in having a wish granted was incredible motivation for me.”
Crossing the iconic Boylston Street finish line was an unforgettable moment. “It was an incredible feeling,” she said. “The thought running through my mind was, I did it! The crowd energy was unbelievable, not just at the finish but the entire course. There wasn’t a spot without spectators cheering you on.”
Training for Boston was no easy feat, but Lilly credits her success to her support system. “I am lucky to have an amazing group of running friends who trained with me and spent hours with me on the weekend long runs,” she said. “Mentally, knowing I had plans to meet up with others helped push aside the early morning doubts.”
A special source of inspiration for Lilly was her marathon buddy, Brayden, a child who had received a wish. “Knowing I was running the marathon for more than a goal for myself is incredible motivation,” she said. “Seeing Brayden on a training run in Boston was great. He’s an amazing child who has been dealt a bad card in life, but he still is thriving and living his life.”
Even when the course tested her, particularly the infamous Newton hills, Lilly pushed through. “Just knowing at that point I had less than 10 miles to go helped,” she said.
By race day, Lilly had raised over $15,000 for Make-A-Wish, surpassing her original $12,500 goal. She credits her success to an outpouring of community support, including local businesses like Nathan Bill’s, East Village Tavern, and The Boulevard, which hosted fundraisers and social media campaigns to boost donations.
Looking ahead, Lilly isn’t planning another marathon just yet, but will continue racing for causes close to her heart. She’ll next run the Whoopie Pie Waddle on May 18 to benefit the Michael J. Dias Foundation and the Treehouse Half Marathon in September.
