Watertown’s Cassandra Rice will run her first Boston Marathon in 2017 and is raising money to help students graduate from high school.
For many years, Cassandra Rice has wanted to run the Boston Marathon, and in 2017 she will run her first one and raise money for a good cause, too.
The Watertown resident, and 2006 WHS graduate, said she was pushed to run after the Marathon Bombings and the aftermath in her hometown.
“I decided that I wanted to run many years ago, and after the events that unfolded in 2013, I was even more convinced,” Rice said. “We were all tremendously affected, and I wanted to be a part of the event that brings everyone in Boston together.”
While she is not a novice runner, Rice said she is excited for the race.
“This is my first time running a full marathon, although I’ve completed a handful of half marathons in the past,” Rice said. “Still, the experience will be unlike anything else, I’m sure!”
Rice will raise money and run the Marathon for the group, Tenacity, Inc.
“The organization’s mission is to close the achievement gaps and increase high school and college graduation for Boston Public School Students,” Rice said. “Ninety-five percent of the students that participate in Tenacity’s program end up graduating high school, which is really important to me, as I attended the public schools in Watertown.”
She has a goal of raising $7,500 for Tenacity.
Rice has started a fundraising page at https://www.crowdrise.com/TenacityBoston2017/fundraiser/cassandramrice