‘Reading felt impossible’: Why she’s running the Boston Marathon for BPL

“Libraries were never just buildings to me. They were sanctuaries that supported and encouraged me.”

Marguerite Flynn is running the 2026 Boston Marathon. (Photo courtesy of Marguerite Flynn)

March 8, 2026 | 3:30 PM

1 minute to read

In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon athletes share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston. Looking for more race day content? Sign up for Boston.com’s pop-up Boston Marathon newsletter.

Name: Marguerite Flynn
Age: 30
From: Hingham

Growing up with dyslexia and ADHD, academics never came easily to me. Reading felt impossible, and school was an uphill climb. I was behind in reading, writing, and most subjects. I enrolled at the Carroll School (Lincoln, MA) where I finally began to understand how my brain worked. I learned that my progress would look different from other kids and that I would need to work harder and be more patient to reach my goals. At the time, this felt unfair. Now I see that learning to slow down and stay persistent shaped my ability to succeed.

She’s running the 2026 Boston Marathon for her patient

My connection to libraries started early. Growing up, my mother was a librarian at the Wayland Public Library and so I spent many afternoons here. Libraries became places where I felt safe and focused. As an undergraduate, I studied at the UMass Amherst W.E.B. Du Bois Library, and in graduate school, I spent countless hours at Butler Library at Columbia University, where I earned my master’s in clinical social work. Libraries were never just buildings to me. They were sanctuaries that supported and encouraged me.

Now, I am taking on a new challenge: running the Boston Marathon. This is complicated by the fact that I have a rare vascular condition affecting less than 1% of the population, which impairs blood flow throughout my body. After four leg surgeries, running is more challenging for me than for many, but I’m used to moving slower, working harder, and keeping my eyes on the prize.

I’m running in support of the Boston Public Library because of its commitment to being an accessible place for all, providing access to literacy, education, engagement, recreation, and technology. Please join me in supporting this vital resource for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.

Are you running the 2026 Boston Marathon? Share your story with us.

Annie Jonas is a Community writer at Boston.com. She was previously a local editor at Patch and a freelancer at the Financial Times.

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