Call it peer pressure – or maybe his heart simply grew bigger than his nerves.

In April, Anthony Marino will run his first full marathon. And he’ll do it in Boston, to benefit Family ACCESS.

“I have a group of four friends and I’m the only one who has not run the Boston Marathon,” says Marino, 30, from Andover. “This is my chance to show I can do it, and for a great cause.”

Family ACCESS received a 2026 Boston Marathon charity bib from the city of Newton. Marino heard from a friend about the opportunity, applied, and was chosen to represent the organization. While he hasn’t run a full 26.2 mile trek yet, he’s completed six half-marathons in the past few years.

“I have my training plan. On Wednesdays, I do five miles at marathon pace and on Sundays, I’ll work my way up to longer distances,” say Marino. “In March, I’m scheduled for a 20-mile training run.”

Athletic challenges are nothing new to Marino. He played soccer in high school and at Boston College, where he graduated in 2017, he was on the crew team. That’s where he met and later married his college sweetheart, Emily.

“We don’t have any kids yet, but I have four nieces and nephews under the age of six,” he notes. “I can appreciate an organization focused on early education and on providing resources for young families in the community. Family Access gives each child a jump-start on learning.”

Marino works in accounting for the fitness technology company WHOOP, maker of wearable bands that track blood oxygen, heart rate, sleep and other physiological data to improve health and performance. He says the band will “definitely help” with his training. As will thoughts of a brighter future for area children.

“When I was on the crew team, each rower had to do his part to get to the finish line,” he explains. “When I run this marathon, it will be like having all the kids touched by Family ACCESS in the boat with me. We’re all a part of this team.”

With your help, each step Anthony takes toward the finish line will move Family ACCESS toward its goals. Please consider supporting his 2026 marathon run by making a donation here.