Skip to contents
In This Issue:
Mandeep Saund, MD, of the Department of Surgery, has wanted to run a marathon since the fourth grade, when he completed an assignment on Phidippides who ran the first ever marathon.
When Saund, a native of India, came to the U.S. in 2000, he ran to stay active, but his schedule as a surgical resident made finding the time to train difficult. So he worked his way through four half marathons before signing up for marathon camp and this year’s Boston Marathon with Team Brigham, which has 56 first-time runners.
“I learned how to train and the philosophy behind marathoning at marathon running camp in Craftsbury, VT, which really helped me get ready,” said Saund, who is preparing for the April 21 race with fellow physician Dhruv Singhal, MD.
Saund isn’t the only BWHer officially taking on the 26.2-mile race for the first time on Monday. Jeff Benner, RN, of Tower 16A, moved to Boston from Ontario last year and knew this was the right time to run the Boston Marathon.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, something to cross off the life list,” he said. Benner loved running on Saturday mornings with the team because it motivates him for the big race. “When I was in school, I was big into fund raising and charity, and running with Team Brigham really tops that off.”
Lora Raines, an exercise physiologist, agreed. “If I run only one marathon in my life, I want it to be for a good cause,” she said, adding that her goal is to beat Katie Holmes’ New York City Marathon time of 5:29:58. “I can’t beat Lance Armstrong’s, so I’m going to beat Katie’s,” she said, laughing.
Kristen Giambusso, HR assistant and Physicians’ Council coordinator, jumped into last year’s marathon after the start and ran the course, but this is her first official entrance. Giambusso raised money through a Super Bowl pool, a fund-raising party and by putting a basket out at a birthday celebration asking for donations.
“As a loyal watcher of the marathon throughout college, I had the desire to do it,” said the Northeastern graduate. “I have two good friends running with me, one of whom conveniently is an athletic trainer. After receiving the official jersey and fund raising, it feels so good to do this and be part of this team.”
Support the team and its goal of raising $500,000 for BWH community health programs at www.firstgiving.com/teambrigham
Cheer on Team Brigham at the Boston Marathon on Monday from the official team cheering spot at An Tua Nua on Beacon Street near mile 24.