Marathon Runners Help Provide More Than 70,000 Meals

On Marathon Monday (April 16) four runners raced 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston in grueling 90 degree heat to raise more than $30,000 to benefit The Greater Boston Food Bank. We caught up with three of them (while they weren’t running!) to find out why they ran for GBFB. For Shore Gregory, owner of Island Creek Oyster Bar, supporting GBFB was a no-brainer. “Island Creek has supported The Greater Boston Food Bank for a while, and my whole life revolves around food. If there was ever an organization I could get motivated to run a marathon for, it’s The Greater Boston Food Bank.” Shore’s restaurant is located in Kenmore Square on mile 25 of the Marathon route. He was first caught up in the Kenmore Square excitement during the 2011 Marathon. Shortly after, he was in Chicago cheering on his roommates in the Chicago Marathon, and the next day learned that GBFB was looking for runners. This was Shore’s second marathon, but his first Boston Marathon. For Brian Reh, President and CEO of Gorbel Inc., Boston is where the heart is. Although born, raised and currently living in Rochester, New York, Brian has had a connection to Boston since he met his wife, Gail, who is from the Boston area. Brian ran his first Boston Marathon unofficially as a ‘bandit’ in 2001. He has run more than 20 triathlons since. In preparation for Boston, he ran more than 400 miles between January 1 and Marathon Day. Despite record temperatures, Brian finished in just over 4 hours. “It was an honor to represent The Greater Boston Food Bank,” Brian said. “It was incredible how many people came up to me before, during and after the race, pointed at my GBFB shirt, and said ‘THAT organization does AMAZING work.’” Katie O’Neil, Project Manager at Nth Degree Events, is a seasoned runner, with two marathons, a few half marathons, and many shorter runs on her pedigree. This was her first Boston Marathon, and she was excited to run on behalf of GBFB. “There are so many great causes out there that people are raising money and awareness for, but the one thing I really like about running for the GBFB is that you can tell people how their money will be used. Fifty dollars equals 125 meals, it’s that simple,” Katie said. The money raised by the runners will provide enough food for more than 70,000 meals for those in need.