Massachusetts West-to-East Traverse: October 9th to the 11th, 2026:
On October 9, 2026, at 6:40 AM, I began my run across Massachusetts, starting at the New York/Massachusetts border and traveling east toward Boston. I completed the approximately 153-mile route on October 11 at 3:42:14 PM, finishing at M Street Beach in South Boston.
Total elapsed time: 57 hours, 2 minutes, 14 seconds.
I undertook this challenge as a fundraiser for the Substance Abuse Program Fund within the Addiction Medicine Program at Boston Children's Hospital. Through the run and the generosity of supporters, we raised $12,445 to support young people and families affected by substance use disorders.
The run was completed over three consecutive days, with overnight stops for sleep and recovery. My daily distances and running times were:
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Day 1 (October 9): 55.46 miles in 9 hours, 55 minutes, finishing in West Springfield.
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Day 2 (October 10): 52.31 miles in 9 hours, 32 minutes, finishing in Worcester.
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Day 3 (October 11): 45.88 miles in 8 hours, 43 minutes, finishing at M Street Beach in South Boston.
The route generally followed a west-to-east progression across the state, incorporating roads through the Berkshires, central Massachusetts, and the Greater Boston area.
Support, resupply, and water
This was a fully supported effort. I had a vehicle crew accompanying me throughout the three days, meeting me at predetermined locations along the route, generally every 5 to 9 miles.
My crew provided hydration, gels, food, spare clothing, and other supplies. I primarily fueled with Precision Fuel & Hydration gels, Tailwind Endurance Fuel, and additional food throughout the day. Water was carried in handheld bottles and replenished by my crew at our scheduled stops.
I also had friends and family join me for portions of the route. My sisters and several friends met me at different points throughout the three days and ran alongside me for several miles at a time. Their company and encouragement were a tremendous help, especially as the cumulative fatigue began to set in.
The experience
The physical challenge became progressively more difficult as the miles accumulated. By the third day, my legs were experiencing considerable muscular and tendon discomfort, and the final miles into Boston required a great deal of patience and determination as the number of traffic lights and waiting at crosswalks increased.
Some of the most memorable moments were the simplest: seeing familiar faces along the route, sharing miles with friends and family, and hearing updates from my crew as donations continued to come in throughout the weekend.
I'll never forget seeing the Boston skyline as I approached the city on the final day. After nearly three days of traveling east, that view was an incredible reminder of how far we'd come and gave me a renewed sense of energy heading toward the finish.
I reached M Street Beach in South Boston at 3:42:14 PM on Sunday, October 11, completing the traverse with a total elapsed time of 57:02:14.
This was an incredibly difficult but rewarding experience. I'm especially grateful to my crew, friends, family, and everyone who supported the fundraiser. The opportunity to combine my passion for ultrarunning with a cause I care deeply about made the experience much more meaningful than the distance alone.