3 Run Boston Marathon For Natick Farm's Youth Programs

NATICK, MA—There are 69 people from Natick running the Boston Marathon this year. And three of those people come right from the farm.

Natick Community Organic Farm’s three 2018 Boston Marathoners are "Hoofin’ It to Boston"this year to help raise wages for the teens on NCOF’s Teen Work Crew and in its Mentoring Teens through Agriculture Apprenticeship.

Natick Community Organic Farm is a nonprofit, certified-organic, working farm providing productive open space, farm products, and hands-on education to people of all ages-year round. It is located on 27 acres that have been continuously farmed since 1651, and was conserved by the Town of Natick in 2009.

NCOF’s Teen Work Crew provides paid, meaningful summer employment to local teens ages 14 to 17. Crew members tackle “big farm jobs” such as mowing, carpentry, fencing and splitting wood. NCOF’s Mentoring Teens through Agriculture is a paid, year-round apprenticeship offering comprehensive mentorship, skill development, and job training for local teens aged 14 to 17.

And here are the Boston Marathon runners helping to raise funds for these programs:

Kate Neville lives in Natick and grew up in Taunton. She works in Tech Support at Weston Middle School.

What she does for fun: Run, Trail Run, Kayak, Swim, Knit, Read, go to concerts, sing really loud in my car, Post my pug's pics to Instagram.

Running experiences: Runner since 2011; 8 half marathons, including 1 Trail half. 5ks, 10ks, and mud/obstacle runs. This will be my first marathon. (Commence peeing my pants now.)

Favorite run ever was: Trail run along Mt. Wapack and the Mid State Trail. Twelve miles of icy trails and scenic mountain views.

Favorite pre-race food: PB&J, Picky Bars. Favorite post-race food: Pretty much anything I can get my mitts on.

Most excited about by running in this year's Marathon: Turning 40 in March, and running Boston was once a "holy crap, never could I ever!" type thing. And now I'm all, "holy smokes, I think I can!" And guess what? I can. And I will! What you are not so excited about about this year's Marathon: I just hope it's not hot. Rain, I can deal. Heat, I cannot.

Your "spirit farm animal”: GOAT. Your "spirit farm vegetable”: BEETS.

Why you are running for NCOF: We are so lucky to have this farm in Natick. I have brought my boys there for years to visit the goats, bunnies, turkeys, pigs, etc. The farm stand is a lovely place to shop. I want to be able to give back to a place that made my kids (and me) happy for so many years.

Support Kate by donating to her Crowdrise page.

Ron Ayers is a Waltham hockey dad.

What you do for fun: Run, watch hockey, gaming, volunteer and a little bit of parenting.

Running experiences: My favorite run ever was: The Boilermaker Road Race

Favorite pre-race food: Seafood Pasta. Favorite post-race food: Everything.

What you are most excited about by running in this year's Marathon: Not being all jittery watching everyone run by me while I watch!What you are not so excited about about this year's Marathon: Slush Runs!

Your "spirit farm animal”: Pig

Your "spirit farm vegetable”: Brussel Sprouts

Why you are running for NCOF: It's a wonderful community organization, with great people, that I know is going to make the most of every dollar we can raise for them. Many people I know have been touched by the NCOF in some way, whether it's as a teen working there, as a teacher bringing a class, or a child just visiting.

Support Ron by donating to his Crowdrise page or by attending his wife Amy’s spin ride March 24.

Sam McLaughlin is local teacher and mother of four to her amazing little humans Adelle (10), Grace (9), Nolan (6), Wes (4), and has a boyfriend who is an amazing fan and his name is Ronny.

Running experiences: I have run many races, sometimes I feel the race is more in the training and the race is just showing off all the work- but here’s my brag book.. marathons- Boston 2016, Baystate Lowell 2016, Hyannis 2017 (as a relay team) The Pocono mountain marathon 2017, (who thinks a mountain is a good choice), And I’ve run dozens of half’s but a few include Nashville, Gansette, Run to remember (run this annually), mayflower.. every year I run Falmouth which is hands down my favorite Summer race, and I’m so fortunate to be a huge part of the Sharon timeline race to cure ALS which is a local 5k that I have done for over 10years now. So those are a few... but I’ve also done a few trails and mud runs too!

Favorite pre-race food: simple toast and pb. Favorite post-race food: usually something small like protein bar. But later maybe a slice of pizza!

What you are most excited about by running in this year's Marathon: the turn in Wellesley when you hear what sounds like thunder and for a minute you wonder if the rain will start and then you see them. The girls of Wellesley College. The screams and cheers are infectious.

What you are not so excited about this year's Marathon: praying weather is perfect not sleet and snow, prefer no pouring rain.. ya no a miracle in New England ha!

Your "spirit farm animal”: cow. Your "spirit farm vegetable”: asparagus

Why you are running for NCOF: I’ve been given an amazing opportunity to run for a great farm. I try to teach my own children about healthy foods, healthy bodies and a lot about farm to table. Sometimes my daughter makes fun of how health cautious I can be, but I love the idea of teaching children that veggies are cool!! So it only seems fitting to run for NCOF

Support Sam by donating to her Crowdrise page.

Photo via Shutterstock