Naomi Arnold, E26, waving and running up to Tufts Marathon Team Coach Don Megerle at mile nine on the Boston Marathon route

Naomi Arnold, E26, greets Tufts Marathon Team Coach Don Megerle at mile nine on the Boston Marathon route. Photo: Alonso Nichols

Sports

Jumbos on the Run

15 runners competed for the Tufts Marathon Team at the 2026 Boston Marathon

In a field of over 30,000 runners, a group of spirited competitors laced up their sneakers, sported yellow and blue Tufts Marathon Team jerseys, and trekked the historic 26.2-mile Boston Marathon course from Hopkinton to Boylston Street on Monday, April 20.

Coached by Don Megerle, the 15 Tufts Marathon Team members ran with a critical goal in mind: raising funds to benefit research on childhood obesity, cancer, hunger/famine, and healthy aging at the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition and Policy.

At mile nine on the route, the Tufts runners were able to momentarily pause to celebrate with Megerle and their loved ones who came to support them.

The Tufts Marathon Team runners this year were: Naomi Arnold, E26; Sophie Axelrod, A26; Harrison Bazianos, A24; Katherine Erler, A25, M29; Samuel Goldberg, A26; Clara Goltz, A26; Carly Iacullo, A26; Jason Maccannon, athletic trainer in the Department of Athletics; Kate Parsons, A26; Julia Rivera, E26; Layla Shaffer, E26; Carolyn Thompson, E26; Kirsten Trinidad, PhD student in the Department of Biomedical Engineering; Sophia Vezmar, A26; and Sheyla Zakashansky, A26.

 

Nine Miles In

 

Jason Maccannon, athletic trainer in the Department of Athletics, running on the Boston Marathon course

Jason Maccannon, athletic trainer in the Department of Athletics, runs swiftly through mile nine on the Boston Marathon course. Photo: Alonso Nichols

 

Coach Spotting

    Harrison Bazianos, A24, and Joe Findaro, A78, run toward Coach Don Megerle during the Boston Marathon
    Harrison Bazianos, A24, and Joe Findaro, A78, a Tufts Marathon Team alum and honorary member this year, run to celebrate the nine-mile mark with Coach Don Megerle. Photo: Alonso Nichols
    Sophie Axelrod, A26, Clara Goltz, A26, and Samuel Goldberg, A26, starting to throw their arms up as they catch sight of Coach Don Megerle during the Boston Marathon
    Sophie Axelrod, A26, Clara Goltz, A26, and Samuel Goldberg, A26, start to throw their arms up as they catch sight of their coach. Photo: Alonso Nichols
    Carly Iacullo, A26, and Carolyn Thompson, E26, stopping to take a photo with Coach Don Megerle during the Boston Marathon
    Carly Iacullo, A26, and Carolyn Thompson, E26, stop to pose for a photo with their coach. Photo: Alonso Nichols

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The Best Cheer Squad Around

 

Tufts Marathon Team families, faculty, staff, and students posing for a photo, sporting team gear and signs, at mile nine of the Boston Marathon

Tufts families, faculty, staff, and students at mile nine are ready to cheer on the Tufts Marathon Team. Photo: Alonso Nichols

 

Hugs and High-Fives

    Julia Rivera, E26, hugging her family member during the Boston Marathon
    Julia Rivera, E26, greets her family at mile nine. Photo: Alonso Nichols
    Clara Goltz, A26, high-fiving a member of the crowd during the Boston Marathon
    Clara Goltz, A26, gets some encouragement from the crowd. Photo: Alonso Nichols
    Kate Parsons, A26, hugging her family member during the Boston Marathon
    Kate Parsons, A26, greets her family at mile nine. Photo: Alonso Nichols

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