Fairfield, Southport Runners Tackle Boston Marathon For CT Challenge

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield’s Keri O’Neill and Southport’s John Barlow were among five runners who supported the CT Challenge in last week's Boston Marathon.

Fairfield's Keri O'Neill meets her family in the 14th mile of the Boston Marathon.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

Keri O'Neill's singlet for the Boston Marathon expresses her goal to run for cancer survivors.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

Tom Renner

04/28/2014 4:00 a.m.

The runners have raised nearly $25,000 with donations still being received for their efforts. O’Neill raised more than $5,000 and Barlow topped $5,700.

“The race was an amazing and emotional experience,’’ O’Neill said. “My family was able to meet me at mile 14.5. Also, I painted a message on the back of my CT Challenge singlet. I had runners stopping me and telling me that they are [cancer] survivors and thanking me for my efforts. It was very emotional.”

O’Neill finished in 4:27:06, and Barlow covered the 26.2-mile distance in 4:21:55.

“I can’t thank the CT Challenge enough for giving me this life experience and being able to help others at the same time,’’ O’Neill said.

The CT Challenge empowers cancer survivors with a host of physical and education programs.

O’Neill’s fundraising page is online. Barlow’s fundraising page is available here.

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