Runner overcomes coronary heart assault to race Boston 10 years later

Boston Marathon

“I used to be having an incredible race when issues went terribly flawed on/close to Heartbreak Hill.”

By Annie Jonas

March 1, 2025 | 5:00 AM

1 minute to learn

In our “Why I’m Operating” sequence, Boston Marathon athletes share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston.

Identify: Nancy Richards
Age: 66
From: Madras, Oregon

I certified for and ran Boston in 2015. I used to be having an incredible race when issues went terribly flawed on/close to Heartbreak Hill. I struggled to the end however have little or no reminiscence of the final three miles or the hours after the race.

I suffered an acute STEMI (coronary heart assault) throughout the race. Because of some very attentive and well-trained volunteers on the end line and within the medical tent together with glorious care at MGH, I survived with minimal coronary heart harm. I woke on Tuesday morning to seek out Dr. Aaron Baggish at my bedside. He communicated that operating had most likely saved my life and inspired me to return to operating as I recovered.

I did return to operating, decided to return to Boston sometime. That day has come. I’ve been accepted as a member of the 2025 Mass Normal Marathon Group. Emergency care/response, cardiac well being, and operating as a part of a wholesome way of life are my passions. MGH was an important a part of my Boston expertise in 2015. I’ll be operating Boston and fundraising to indicate my appreciation for the lifesaving care I obtained within the emergency room and the Cardiology/Coronary heart Heart.

I can’t consider a greater time to return to Boston than in 2025 on the tenth anniversary of my cardiac occasion. Making the journey to Boston as a member of the 2025 Mass Normal Marathon Group will probably be a chance to satisfy my objective to complete Boston feeling nicely and I’ll be capable of share my story, promote operating as a part of a wholesome way of life, encourage others, and present my appreciation for the lifesaving care I obtained. I’m excited and honored to RUN4MGH as I have fun the tenth anniversary of my cardiac occasion!

Editor’s observe: This entry could have been frivolously edited for readability or grammar.

Annie Jonas is a Neighborhood author at Boston.com. She was beforehand a neighborhood editor at Patch and a freelancer on the Monetary Instances.