Father of Slain Children Runs Boston Marathon, Raises $75,000

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When Patrick Clancy crossed the finish line of the Boston Marathon in just under four hours, he did so with the memory of his three children by his side. Clancy has raised more than $75,000 for the Boston Children’s Hospital’s Miles for Miracles team; the amount more than doubled on the eve of Monday’s race.

Clancy ran in honor of his three children, Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 7 months, who were killed last year.

On the back of Clancy’s Miles for Miracles singlet read, “In memory of Cora, Dawson & Callan. Every mile, every day.” He ran with items that belonged to each of his children: He tied one of Cora’s hair bows around his singlet; wore one of Dawson’s wristbands on his right wrist, and a bracelet that belonged to Callan—nicknamed Happy Callan—on his left wrist, according to WCVB Boston.

Courtesy MarathonFoto

Patrick Clancy nears the finish line on Boylston Street during the 2024 Boston Marathon.

On his fundraising page, Clancy wrote, “Callan spent his last moments in my arms before he passed at Boston Children’s Hospital. Although I wished so badly for a different outcome, I was overwhelmed by the compassion and professionalism of the doctors and nurses in the ICU. They gave me a little more time with my boy and I’ll forever be grateful for that. I’m incredibly honored to have the privilege of joining their team for the 2024 Boston Marathon and I’ll be running in Cora, Dawson, and Callan’s memory.”

It appears this was the first Boston Marathon for Clancy, and he told WCVB Boston that the race was “therapeutic. It was my purpose. I knew we could make a big difference and we did, so it was good.”

Clancy noted that even though neither his bib nor his singlet had his name, he didn’t know 95 percent of the people who called his name as he ran by.

“It was just really moving and I’m glad I did it.”

Runner’s World could not reach Clancy for an interview.

Headshot of Heather Mayer Irvine

Heather is the former food and nutrition editor for Runner’s World, the author of The Runner’s World Vegetarian Cookbook, and a seven-time marathoner with a best of 3:31—but she is most proud of her 1:32 half, 19:40 5K, and 5:33 mile.

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