Support Our Athletes Running the Boston Marathon - and beyond!
Help our athletes go the extra mile—one rep, one step, and one goal at a time. Every donation fuels their journey to better health and stronger communities. Make a difference today!
How You Can Support
We are setting an ambitious fundraising goal of $30,000 to support the TRY-ATHLETE CHALLENGE. You can contribute in the following ways:
- Donate: Make a direct contribution to our page. Recommended giving increments reflect the 26 mile marathon journey, but you can give at what ever level is right for you!
- Cheer: Send a message to our marathon runners and our TRY-ATHLETES letting them know you're cheering them on! You can use the form above ("Leave your encouraging message for our athletes here!") or email Shelby Cote
- Share: Help us spread the word by sharing our runners' inspiring stories and the TRY-ATHLETE Challenge on social media.
Meet the 2025 Special Olympics New Hampshire Boston Marathon Team
Thomas Cantara
Thomas M. Cantara is a Special Olympics athlete who has been running marathons since 2012. Running helped him lose about 80 pounds after high school. His marathon PR is 2:31 and he is the returning T20 champion of the Boston Marathon.
In addition to repeating as T20 champion in Boston this year, Thomas has set his sights on an extraordinary challenge: completing the Six Star Journey. He has just one to go - the London Marathon on April 27, 2025 where he will earn the prestigious Six Star Medal. He’s also determined to set record-breaking times as a Special Olympics athlete in each of these renowned races.
For a peek at Thomas' recent race in Tokyo, check out this blog post!
“Stay positive, determined, and keep going.”
Thomas Hartge
Tom Hartge attended Boston College after growing up in Michigan. While in his freshman year he watched Bill Rodgers win his first Boston Marathon and was inspired to eventually run it himself. In his senior year Tom ran his first Boston Marathon and will be toeing the line for his 39th Boston this April.
“Having attended six Olympic Games, I understand the enormous effort it takes athletes to compete in them and even more so in the Special Olympics. I hope that my effort in this year’s Boston Marathon will help some New Hampshire Special Olympics athletes to someday achieve their goals.”
Ben Langlois
Ben Langlois is a Special Olympics athlete from Keene, NH. Boston 2025 is his first ever marathon and he is excited for the opportunity. Ben has participated in SONH competitions since 2014 and has completed many local races around his hometown. When he’s not running, he also enjoys basketball, works at Hannaford and drives for Thomas Transportation.
“I'm running Boston because I think this will be another really cool experience in my life. I also think it's awesome to represent Special Olympics NH and to take on a new challenge.”
Tory Wight
Tory Wight is a 48-year-old avid runner who loves the outdoors and likes to be creative during down times. She has always loved to run but became more serious in 2012 starting off with a zombie-themed 5K and is now training for her sixth marathon. She is grateful to have the opportunity to take on the historic Boston Marathon.
“I am running the Boston Marathon for those who cannot run and those whose health issues are an everyday challenge.”
Thank you to all our supporters
Thanks to generous contributions like yours, our athletes experience joy, build confidence, and achieve fulfillment
