Kids & Family
Three-time Boston Maraton Runner Asks You to Join Her in Supporting Animals in Need
You can sponsor this inspirational Boston Marathon Runner to help stray and unwanted animals.
It’s barely ten degrees out but that’s not keeping Sandra Gittlen inside. This is just one of many bitter cold training days for Gittlen as she prepares for her third Boston Marathon in support of Baypath Humane Society of Hopkinton. On warmer days, her beloved Border Collie and Baypath alum Lily often joins her.
For more than five years, Gittlen has been a hands-on volunteer at Baypath, doing everything from cleaning out kennels to running the shelter’s Facebook page, which she’s helped build into an amazing community of 8,000 followers. She’s also a multi-time adopter of cats and dogs, including 13-year-old Nellie, a retriever she added to her family last year.
“Nellie is the perfect representation of why I love Baypath so much,” Gittlen said, explaining Nellie was found being sold at a yard sale. “Rescuers brought her to Baypath but she had a difficult time in the shelter environment. I took her home with the intent to foster but quickly realized she would not be going anywhere with her beautiful smile, endless spunk, and gentle demeanor.”
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Gittlen added: “Most other shelters might not have given a dog like Nellie the opportunity to find a second chance. Baypath does this every day for so many deserving dogs and cats.”
For the past two years, Gittlen has run the Boston Marathon, raising more than $10,000 to support Baypath’s mission of finding loving homes for dogs and cats in need. Gittlen battles against a rare critical autoimmune disease, running to keep healthy and support the animals she loves.
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“Sandy is a force of nature,” said Baypath Executive Director Elizabeth Jefferis. “There is nothing she wouldn’t do to help the animals, and her enthusiasm and tenacity are simply amazing.”
This year, Gittlen is hoping to top the $6,000 she raised last year, which will enable Baypath to help even more stray and unwanted animals. Please support her Marathon run. Donors of $100 can add their pet’s name to her shirt for the 26.2-mile journey from Hopkinton to Boston.