Boston Marathon Profile: Northborough Woman Runs For Baypath Humane Society

NORTHBOROUGH, MA — Northborough has eight residents running in this year's Boston Marathon.

Northborough Patch highlights those runners in the next few weeks.

Today, we meet Sandra Gittlen, who is 46. Good luck, Sandra!

Reason for running: This is my fifth year running the Boston Marathon for Baypath Humane Society of Hopkinton, an animal shelter near the marathon’s start. I am a board member and have volunteered there for seven years. I also adopted my cats and dog from Baypath. Knowing all the good the money raised will do to help dogs and cats in need in our area helps me get through the rough spots during the 26.2 miles.

Marathon experience: This year’s Boston Marathon will be my fifth Boston Marathon and 10th marathon overall. My first was the 2013 Boston Marathon, which was cut short by the bombings. Since then, I have committed to running and fundraising for great causes such as Baypath, for which I’ve raised more than $35,000.

Training tip: Trust your training. There are days when you feel like a long run or the race itself is going to be impossible. Trust that you’ve done the work necessary to get you to the finish line.

Photos courtesy Sandra Gittlen

Are you running the Boston Marathon? We'd love to feature you, too. Email charlene.arsenault@patch.com.