Boston Marathon runner participating in late son’s memory: ‘It’s not one I will run virtually’

BOSTON — The cancellation of the 124th Boston Marathon for the first time since it began in 1897 is devastating to all the runners who put their heart and soul into training.

Behind the estimated 30,000 people who participate every year are inspiring stories of dedication and perseverance. That includes a South Shore mother who believes training for the Boston Marathon helped her grieve the loss of her child.

“It was part of a therapeutic process," said said Janet Kalandranis of Marshfield. “It’s helped me [get through] what I thought I couldn’t get past.”

Kalandranis was supposed to be running in honor of her son Dean Anderson. Dean died last year just shy of his 5th birthday of a congenital heart defect complication.

Kalandranis was also participating in the iconic race to give back to the Ethan Lindberg Foundation for the continuous support it brought to her family.

“It was our way of giving back to a foundation that helped us over five years,” said Kalandranis. “This one had a lot more riding behind it.”

The B.A.A. is hosting a week-long virtual celebration of the Boston Marathon. Runners can participate anytime between September 7th and 14th.

Kalandranis told Boston 25 News that running it virtually just wouldn’t be the same.

“It’s not one that I will run virtually,” said Kalandranis. “There’s a whole conglomerate of what running that day means to us and the support it provides not only to charities but the state.”

On top of the $200 million the Boston Marathon pumps into the Massachusetts economy annually, it also raises an estimated $36 million for charities.

A 2020 race bib does not automatically guarantee a spot in the 2021 race. Runners can use their 2020 qualifying time to apply for 2021.

“That’s a lot that has been put on the charities," said Kalandranis. “They need to make a decision… do we forgo new dollars coming into our organization next year or do we say sorry to those who have raised so much for us this year.”

The B.A.A. said 2020 entrants will be offered a full refund of the entry fee. However, due to the volume of refunds being processed, the B.A.A. said it could take weeks or months for runners to get their money back.

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