26.2 Foundation

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26.2 Foundation

Honoring, celebrating, and inspiring the power of the human spirit through the sport of marathoning.

Advancing the global sport of marathoning while harnessing the power of the human spirit and its capacity for good.

05/31/2026

Wherever you run this June, you’re part of a global community moving forward together 🌎

This month, runners will take on unforgettable races like the Maratona da Cidade do Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷, the iconic Comrades Marathon 🇿🇦, and the glowing Midnight Sun Marathon 🇳🇴 alongside unique experiences like the Lake Saroma 100km Ultra Marathon 🇯🇵 and the Volcano Marathon 🇨🇱

05/28/2026

What does it take to run 7 marathons on 7 continents in just 7 days? 🌍🏃‍♀️

For most of us, completing one marathon is a life-defining achievement. Sandra Wood Lehane ran seven - back to back - crossing Antarctica, Africa, Australia, Asia, Europe, South America, and North America in a single week. No real recovery. No rest. Just relentless forward motion across the entire planet.

The World Marathon Challenge is widely considered one of the most physically and mentally demanding feats a human being can attempt. Extreme temperature swings, minimal sleep, and 183.4 miles of running pushed the limits of what the human body can endure - and Sandy didn’t just survive it. She ran it with purpose.

Because Sandy didn’t take on this global odyssey just for herself. She carried it in honor of the Michael Lisnow Respite Center and their families, raising an extraordinary $100,000 along the way.

That’s the thing about Sandy. She makes you look at your own limits differently. She encourages you to ask yourself: what am I capable of if I decide to truly commit?

Becca Pizzi, World Marathon Challenge Race Director and two-time champion, shared: “Sandy was amazing from start to finish. She showed up every day with a smile, a great attitude, and so much determination. The World Marathon Challenge is not easy, but Sandy trained very hard and handled every continent, every flight, and every marathon with pure heart and grit. I was so proud to be there with her and watch her cross that final finish line. Seeing her represent the Michael Lisnow Respite Center made it even more special. She is forever part of our 777 family.”

Seven continents. Seven marathons. Seven days. One remarkable human being proving that endurance, heart, and generosity can move the entire world 🙌

We are so proud to call Sandy a friend of the Foundation. Her journey doesn’t end at the finish line - it inspires every single one of us to go further.

05/26/2026

What an unforgettable marathon weekend we’ve witnessed in Cape Town. Thousands of runners and spectators brought incredible energy to the streets of the Mother City as continues its journey Towards Africa’s 1st Major.

The 42.2km race delivered historic performances, including a new men’s course record and standout wheelchair victories, as athletes from around the world took on one of the most scenic marathon courses on the planet.

In the elite races, Ethiopia’s Huseydin Mohamed Esa claimed victory in the men’s race in a stunning course record time of 2:04:55, while fellow Ethiopian Dera Dida Yami won the women’s race in 2:23:18. In the wheelchair division, Great Britain’s David Weir took the men’s title in 1:30:20, and Switzerland’s Manuela Schär won the women’s race in 1:43:25.

Cape Town once again proved why this race is becoming one of the most special events on the global marathon calendar ✨

05/24/2026

APRIL WAS AN INCREDIBLE MONTH ✨

Because of our amazing community of athletes, donors, artists, storytellers, and supporters, we continue moving closer to bringing the International Marathon Center to life.

For this year’s , presented by , Team Inspire made a global impact:

🌍 20 athletes from around the world - from the US to Spain to Indonesia

💰 289 donors helped raise an incredible $254,500

Throughout The Start of Something Extraordinary, Winged Feet, Stories & Songs, and the stART Line experience, art, storytelling, and sport came together in meaningful ways:

🎨 24 artists and 26 Winged Feet installations brought creativity to the marathon experience

📖 4 storytellers and 5 alumni shared powerful stories and personal connections

📱 The stART Line app created a more accessible, informative, and engaging experience for visitors

From Hopkinton to Boston, these initiatives brought together residents, local communities, and visitors from all over the world - united through movement, creativity, and connection.

Thank you for being part of something so special 💫

05/21/2026

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is stepping into the global spotlight as it enters its final stage of candidacy to become Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Major - and we can really feel the excitement building.

And it gets even better… Eliud Kipchoge has chosen Cape Town as the first stop of his World Tour, marking his first-ever marathon on African soil. A full-circle moment for one of the greatest runners in history!

Set against a course that runs between the Atlantic coastline, Table Mountain, and the heart of the city, this is a race shaped by contrast: world-class performance meeting deep local identity, with thousands of runners and supporters bringing it to life.

If it gets there, this won’t just be another Major - it would mark a historic shift in global marathon running, placing Africa firmly at the centre of the sport’s biggest stage ✨👟

05/19/2026

Meet Advisory Council Member: Bob Dobinski, President of CorpCom Exhibits and Events, a leading event-activations company for the trade show and corporate meetings industry, based in Westboro, MA.

A longtime supporter, friend, and advocate of the 26.2 Foundation, Bob Dobinski has consistently helped bring the spirit of community and creativity to life in Hopkinton.

Year after year, Bob supports initiatives that celebrate the connection between art, storytelling, and the marathon experience. His ongoing support of The Start of Something Extraordinary, especially the community mural project, has helped create spaces that inspire residents, visitors, and runners from around the world.

Bob’s commitment reflects what makes community so special: showing up, giving back, and helping create something meaningful that lasts far beyond just race day

05/17/2026

The Abbott World Marathon Majors - Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City - bring together tens of thousands of runners each year, from world-class athletes to everyday runners chasing big dreams. Together, they form a global stage that celebrates endurance, diversity, and the unifying power of running.

Through the 26.2 Foundation, athletes have the opportunity to be part of this global journey by accessing select Abbott World Marathon Major experiences through charity and community-driven entries.

Here are the Abbott World Marathon Major races currently offered through the 26.2 Foundation for the remainder of this year:

- August | TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS
- September | BMW Berlin Marathon
- November | TCS New York City Marathon

Each race offers a unique experience, but all share the same spirit: pushing limits, building community, and running with purpose 🌎👟

05/14/2026

During 2026 Boston Marathon® season, Hopkinton became a canvas for creativity and connection.

Twenty-six talented artists each reimagined the iconic winged foot, transforming a symbol of sportsmanship and endurance into a powerful public art exhibition on the Town Common.

The installation brought together runners, residents, and visitors from around the world, creating a shared space where art and athletics met. Each piece told its own story, reflecting the spirit, emotion, and community behind the 26.2 miles.

It was a celebration of how the marathon inspires far beyond race day ✨👟

05/12/2026

Recently, our future International Marathon Center™ was featured in the Boston Herald as momentum continues to build for what will become a global home for the sport of marathoning 🌍

The approximately $35 million project, led by the 26.2 Foundation, is set to rise in Hopkinton less than a mile from the iconic Boston Marathon® starting line, with the vision of creating a year-round destination for runners and visitors from around the world.

The International Marathon Center™ will unite the stories, history, culture, and future of marathon running within a 25,000-square-foot facility planned to feature a museum, hall of fame, education center, theater, and outdoor running trails.

As the permitting process moves forward, the 26.2 Foundation continues working alongside local organizations to help shape a cultural district in Hopkinton - helping strengthen the local community while creating a global gathering place for marathoners.

With nearly 3,000 marathons taking place globally each year, the International Marathon Center aims to become a connecting point for the worldwide marathon community through shared stories, experiences, and the enduring power of the human spirit.

The future of marathoning continues to take shape in Hopkinton ✨

Source: by

05/10/2026

The annual CharityTeams Brunch brought the marathon community together once again - a morning dedicated to connection, celebration, and the power of running for good.

Each year, the 26.2 Foundation presents an olive branch to a nonprofit partner - a symbol of peace, unity, and the enduring power of the human spirit. This year, that honor was given to the Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation.

Together, CharityTeams nonprofits made an incredible impact, collectively raising $6,994,156 - a powerful reflection of what’s possible when purpose meets community 💙

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Hopkinton, MA

Telephone

+15082544869

Website

http://www.26-2.org/

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