Cancer couldn’t stop her. Now she’s running the Boston Marathon again.

On our websiteWhy am I running?“, Boston Marathon athletes share what inspires them to take on the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston. Looking for more race day content? Sign up for the Boston Marathon Pop-up Newsletter at Boston.com.

name: Stephanie McHugh
Age: 42
From: Braintree

I am honored to run the 2026 Boston Marathon as part of the Patriots Charitable Foundation team. This will be my third Boston Marathon and fourth marathon overall.

Running has always been a big part of my life. I may not have been fast, but crossing the finish line — and earning that decoration — meant everything to me. I first fell in love with the sport when I was supporting a friend of mine during her first marathon in Boston and she ran a local 5K. Knowing that I would never qualify in time on my own, running for charities I believed in became my path forward.

I started working with the Joe Andruzzi Foundation to honor my uncle, retired Fire Chief Kenny McHugh, who lost his battle with cancer. From there, she traveled far and wide to participate in famous races – until everything changed.

In 2023, just two months after my 40th birthday, I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Chemotherapy, medications and surgeries made walking difficult, but I refused to stop moving. My dear friend and mentor, Susan Hurley, guided me through cancer and recovery. After five months of chemotherapy, three major surgeries, and crushing joint pain, I slowly returned to the practice of physical therapy, patience, and Susan’s unwavering faith in me.

In March 2025, while volunteering at a water station, I told Susan I was ready to run Boston again. She hugged me and promised me that she would get me to the finish line.

It wasn’t long before Susan died. I was devastated. But in my grief I heard her words clearly: Life is a marathon – take it one mile, one step at a time.

So I run. To my friends. For Susan. For myself. And to prove that cancer does not have the last word.

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

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