Canton Runner on Martin W. Richard Charitable Foundation Marathon Team

By Charlene Arsenault (Patch Staff)

Jo Lysko from Canton will join Team MR8 to run the Boston Marathon next April.

The Martin W. Richard Charitable Foundation is a Massachusetts non-profit formed by the parents of eight-year-old Martin Richard, who was killed when the second of two bombs went off near the finish line of the marathon on April 15, 2013.

The foundation announced its roster of charity runners its 2015 Boston Marathon running team, it announced in a press release. The runners pledged to raise funds that will further power the Foundation’s mission and growth.

The Foundation is accepting additional applications on a rolling basis from runners who are already registered to run the 2015 Boston Marathon, and who wish to support the Foundation.

“What Team MR8 accomplished in Martin’s name in 2014 was incredible, and got us off to a strong start,” said Martin’s father Bill Richard. “With today’s announcement, we are welcoming new runners to the team and expanding our corps of ambassadors even further.”

The team was selected after the Foundation issued an open call for applications on October 15, 2014, to runners wishing to support the charity who either already had, or needed a number to run in the 2015 Boston Marathon. Candidates had until early November to complete the application. By the deadline, hundreds of applications had come in.

“We were once again impressed by how sincere and thoughtful the applications were and appreciate the personal stories shared with us,” said Denise Richard, Martin’s mother. “There are so many people out there who feel a connection with Martin through his message of ‘no more hurting people’ and believe in the mission of his Foundation. It is heartening to hear from so many young people who give personal testament of how education, athletics and community have shaped their lives, and who are willing to help us ensure that for the next generation.”

The team was assembled to be a diverse group that includes personal friends and total strangers, former team members, teachers and coaches, doctors and nurses, journalists, entrepreneurs, students and executives. This year’s team is a bit younger than the inaugural Team MR8, as there were more applications from college-aged students and young professionals drawn to the Foundation by its mission and youthful focus.

The Foundation received applications from 27 states, as well as from the Middle East. The team that was recently announced includes 28 women and 31 men. Of those, 47 members come from Massachusetts, with the other 12 coming from 11 different states. Fifteen members come from the Richard’s Dorchester neighborhood, and another twelve are from other Boston neighborhoods including downtown, the South End, Roxbury, Mattapan, Brighton, West Roxbury and South Boston. The average age of the runners is 37.1 years, with the youngest being 18 and the most senior being 59 years of age. Fourteen return from last year’s team, including Lysko.

Photo: Image via teammr8.org