Kids & Family

Medford Patrol Officer Running 2014 Boston Marathon for 'Cops for Kids with Cancer'

The organization raises money for families with a child with cancer.

The following was submitted by Patrol Officer Charlie Hartnett of the Medford Police Department.

Name: Charlie Hartnett, Patrol Officer, Medford Police Department

Age: 32

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Goal: Finish, but aiming to run under 4 hours

Reason for running: I come from a family of runners. My uncle ran Boston numerous times, my father has run Boston eight times and my sister Jacquelyn ran both the Vermont and Boston marathons.

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This year's Boston Marathon will be my second running of it. Basically, I have been running for most of my life, starting with the Medford Track Club in 1995. There is nothing better than stepping out of your front door and just going out for a long run.

I ran the Boston Marathon in 2012 but was unavailable to run in 2013. I watched in horror the terrible events that unfolded. It broke my heart because as a young boy, I remember every Patriots’ Day getting up early and watching my father prepare to leave for Hopkinton in the morning, waiting in anticipation to see him race down the line on Boylston Street in Boston. I would sit in the same place every year on Boylston with my mother and sister, not far from where the bombings went off. My mother and I would hold signs, waiting to see the Hoyts cross, the guy with the beer attached to his hat, the elite runners finish, and of course, my father - who was my first inspiration to run. My heart broke for the victims that day knowing that everyone was out there for what was always known as one of the best days in Boston. The Boston Marathon holds a very special place in my heart.

When I ran the Boston Marathon in 2012, I was fortunate enough to be able to run with the Massachusetts State Police, the Boston Police and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Completing the Boston Marathon was one of, if not the most memorable moment in my life. It truly is an incredible experience.

From that start of your training in December, your life is consumed by running. The marathon itself is truly a test of the mind, with some help from the body. From the start in Hopkinton, it was so much fun. I can't remember a better feeling than taking that final right onto Hereford and left onto Boylston. Rivaling my return home from my combat tours in Pakistan and Iraq, there was nothing better than crossing the finishing line on Boylston, joining my sister, uncle and father in a club of runners. I finally could put on the jacket which I used to steal from my father for so many years - I could finally say I ran the Boston Marathon.

When I made the decision this past summer to run again, I knew that I would want to run again with these organizations who allowed me to run with them.

I am proud to say that my fellow officers from the Medford Police Department have sponsored me as their runner for the 118th running of the Boston Marathon. This year, I am running for Cops for Kids with Cancer. Cops for Kids with Cancer typically raises $5,000 for a family who has a child with cancer. Over the last four years, Cops for Kids with Cancer has helped over 200 families in and around New England raising over $1 million. I would like to thank the Medford Police Patrolmen's Association and the Massachusetts Municipal Police Coalition for their help in meeting my goal. And hopefully, we can help these families suffering with this terrible disease.

I would like to thank everyone, including all my friends, family and co-workers for their support. Training for this race takes a lot out of you, and I wouldn't be able to do it without the support I have. Good luck to every runner, and I hope to see you out there on the race course!

To follow my racing, you can text message my bib number (31483) to 345-678. Boston Strong! Medford Strong!

The 129 Medford Residents Running the 2014 Boston Marathon >>


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