How Susan Hurley’s legacy inspired her son to run the Boston Marathon

Max McGillivray is running the 2026 Boston Marathon in memory of his mother, Susan Hurley, in support of the Justice Health Initiative.

Max McGillivray is running the 2026 Boston Marathon.

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: Max McGillivray
Age: 32
From: Los Angeles, CA

Susan Hurley was known as a superhero to many, but to me, she was Mom. Eighteen years ago, she created CharityTeams, a small business that supports nonprofits and charity runners fundraising and training for the Boston Marathon. Over almost two decades, she wrote the book on charity running, raising $42 million and helping countless individuals realize their goals, doing it with an infectious spirit rooted in her cheerleading background.

But in November of 2025, she passed away from ovarian cancer and my world shattered. Alongside the emotional loss, there was an immediate need: someone had to carry forward the programs and runners she had devoted her life to. My brother and I have since taken on the challenge with a lot of help from the very people she touched. It has been an all-consuming endeavor. But one we’re proud of because we’ve gotten to know our mom as the superhero she was through the countless people she served.

When I first met Alex Gitungano, the founder of Justice Health Initiative (JHI), he shared with me a powerful sentiment — mom had been fighting to find marathon bibs for JHI so that they could provide essential healthcare to children in need — children like conjoined twins Fati and Mariem, who need a life-saving internal separation. “Your mother was always checking in on the girls,” Alex told me with a warm smile.

In that moment, I felt mom pushing me to carry her torch and walk in her light, so it invigorates me to say that I’ll be running this year’s Boston Marathon in support of JHI, Alex, Fati, and Mariem.

My mom made every effort a personal battle for good. When I lace up for this year’s race, I’ll be taking up her battle.

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