Wareham natives and residents laced up their shoes for a cause and took on the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15.

Elizabeth Donahue Sztuk ran the Boston Marathon in 2019 in honor of her cousin, Anthony P. Hathaway, who lost his battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the age of eleven. 

This year, Sztuk ran the marathon in honor of other members of her family. She ran a half marathon in 3:02:34. 

“I thought I was a “one and done” marathoner but I’m asking for your support again this year, running because cancer continues to hit too close to home,” Sztuk said.

Sztuk graduated from Wareham High School in 2001; this year, she’s listed as running out of Alexandria, Virginia.

“In 2022 I lost my Uncle Mike to lung cancer. In 2023 my father learned his cancer has recurred and he has started treatment again. Instead of feeling powerless against this horrible disease, I am lacing up my sneakers and running with purpose as part of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team,” Sztuk said.

She has a goal of raising $13,100 through her fundraising page.

Two runners in the Boston Marathon this year were listed as running out of Wareham: Jason Gay and Alyx Schrecengost.

Gay had a net time of 4:29:25, placing 11,517 among men and 19,171 overall. 

Schrecengost ran in support of the Boston United Track and Cross Country Club. She ran a 4:31:24 net, placing 8170 among women and 20,233 overall. 

Schrecengost came to Wareham in 2019 after graduating from the University of Maine, according to her runner’s profile. Her love of running was ignited by encountering a “vibrant community of runners in her neighborhood,” which led to her beginning to race in 2021 and completing the Chicago Marathon last year. 

Schrecengost said she was “proud to be running the 2024 Boston marathon with Boston United Track & Cross Country Club 

“Thank you to all my friends and family for supporting me along this journey,” she added. 

Donations to Boston United are accepted at its donation page.