Roslindale Resident Runs #YStrong as part of the YMCA's Boston Marathon Team

ROSLINDALE, Mass. | This April, Roslindale resident Joanna Murphy, 30, will take on her first Boston Marathon, raising funds as a part of the YMCA of Greater Boston’s team. Murphy, a math teacher at High Rock School in Needham, and longtime member of the Y, is honored raise money for the organization that helped her grow into the person she is today.

Murphy grew up at the Y, from daycare as a child, to after school care as a teenager, she spent most of her childhood involved in programs and activities at the Charles River YMCA located in Needham. After learning how to swim at the Y, in 1989, at age, 5, Murphy helped found Tsunami, the Charles River YMCA’s first swim team.

After years of swimming competitively, Murphy made the transition into triathlons. Never an avid runner, she always considered running the most frightening part of the event. “I was originally overwhelmed by a 5K, but the more I pushed, the easier it got. I eventually began running 10K’s and then half marathons. I now look forward to my run every day,” says Murphy.

Murphy has stood on the sidelines of the Boston Marathon for as long as she can remember and it had been her long-term goal to run a marathon when she was ready. After the 2013 Boston Marathon tragedy, she knew, there was no other marathon to run.

Murphy, who is passionate about providing positive outlets for teens, hopes to raise $10,000. All funds raised by Y Marathon team members will support the YMCA of Greater Boston’s teen programs. This past year the YMCA of Greater Boston handed out more than 11,000 free three-month memberships to teens at the YMCA of Greater Boston’s 13 branches with unlimited access. Most (almost all) teen programs that the YMCA offers are free and open to the community. Programs like Safe Dating and Cyber Bulling have also become staples at the Y, giving more than 1,000 teens the skills they need to make proper decisions.

“YMCA of Greater Boston’s teen programming is an invaluable resource for the youth of our city, keeping them off the streets, out of trouble, and engaged in productive and educational activities,” says Kelley Rice, spokesperson for the YMCA of Greater Boston. “Those too young to work but too old for camp, can take part in safe, social activities with their peers, build their leadership skills and ultimately help shape Boston’s future.

“The Y listens to the needs of the community and works together with its members, regardless of age, income, or background to work towards positive change. No matter which YMCA location or program I may have been attending I have been encouraged, supported and accepted,” says Murphy. “The Y is not just a daycare center, teen center, sports program, or gym. It is a group of people; staff and members, coming together with a united goal; making a positive change in the community. The YMCA is a family.”

For more information on how qualified runners with bibs can join the Y team and raise a minimum of $1,500, email [email protected]. To learn more about Y marathon runners and how to support their fundraising efforts for the Y, visit ymcaboston.org/ymarathonteam.