With more than 20 marathons behind her, Hilary Dona knows what it takes, and she loves it more with every race.
Her first marathons were family affairs. She and her family were living in different cities at the time, so they picked races as a reason to meet up for a weekend somewhere new. They are all active and athletic, so each of them trained for the challenge, then got gathered together to race and explore a new city on foot.
What keeps her coming back is the full range of the experience. A marathon brings some of the greatest highs, and also some dark moments you have to push through. Crossing the finish line feels like nothing else. No surprise that it's also one of her favorite places to spectate. As she notes, “you see every emotion cross each runner's face, and you know how hard every one of them worked to get to that finish line.”
A Cause Close to Home
For Hilary, supporting Project Sunshine was an easy choice. She calls it an amazing organization, and NFP has a wonderful relationship with it. She can't think of a better cause than bringing joy to children going through challenging times that no child should have to experience.
And she knows about navigating challenging times on a personal level. Hilary has two young children, and one of them has had health issues that landed the family in the hospital a couple of times. During one of those stays, a volunteer came by with LEGO sets, one of her son's favorite things. He lit up and spent hours building. It made their stay so much easier, and brought him joy at a rough time.
Finding Joy in the Miles
Months of training is hard enough without also having to balance being a mother and a demanding job. Hilary’s dedication to means a lot of very early mornings, and this season, plenty of long runs in the rain.
On one recent run, she caught herself complaining in her head, and then she stopped. “I GET to run,” she reminded herself, “and so many people and kiddos don’t have this luxury.” And she not only has the privilege of running, but this has the added benefit of being an opportunity to fundraise for an organization she believes in. Logging miles can be a drag sometimes, but it is nothing compared to what some families go through. So, she turned her thinking around and found joy in a beautiful fall day.
A Team Behind Every Mile
The most rewarding part of her journey so far has been the support. Her friends, her colleagues, and most importantly, her family have all been amazing cheerleaders throughout her training.
To everyone who has backed her, she says she is incredibly appreciative. Feeling support from so many friends, family members and co-workers has been truly heartwarming, and she wants them to know that their generosity is reaching kids at the moment they need it most. "Thank you!!"
But Wait…There’s More
If this marathon weren't enough, it’s not her only extended run this month. Just three short weeks after crossing the finish line at the NYC Marathon, Hilary will lace up for Maryland’s JFK 50 Mile, America’s oldest ultramarathon, where she will traverse the Appalachian Trail.
Why Every Mile Matters
When she starts on Staten Island on Sunday, November 1, every mile she runs will be for one reason: “to bring joy and love to kiddos at a time when they need it most.”
Help Hilary reach the finish line. Support her run for Project Sunshine HERE!