Teacher turns marathon runner

By Natasha Clark

Assistant Managing Editor

BOSTON Timothy McQuade's mission in life has been to help children. As a youth he envisioned doing it as a pediatrician. When that course didn't pan out, McQuade shifted his direction, embarking on a career in education and most recently putting his feet to the pavement for a fundraising run in the 2008 Boston Marathon.

The Springfield native finished the 26-mile run in four hours and 47 minutes, individually raising over $7,000 for the Children's Hospital Boston. Overall, he was a member of a 220-person team that ultimately raised over $1 million. And to think, last year was his first stab at the long-distance feat.

"My goal had been to run the Marathon before 2010, but my friend Beth convinced me to train with her for the 2007 run," McQuade shared in an e-mail prior to the race. "We started just after New Year's, and when I told my mom that I was training to run a marathon, she laughed. I have always been athletic, but I have never liked to run. She remembered that and was surprised that I was going to attempt one of the toughest courses in the world."

On April 16 of last year, McQuade finished his first marathon in a little over five hours, as an unofficial participant.

"It was one of my proudest moments. I have been blessed in many ways and I have had parents and family and friends who have constantly helped me believe that I can do anything that I want to. When I crossed the finish line, I felt like I had done something that I wasn't sure I could do," he said.

A 1999 graduate of Cathedral High School, McQuade had had his sights set on the medical field. It was at the College of the Holy Cross where his future took an unexpected turn.

"I wanted to work with kids who have cancer and help to cure them. But after a year-long struggle with organic chemistry, I realized that the closest I was going to get to an ER was watching 'House' or 'Grey's Anatomy.' I joke about it now, but that was a hard realization for me because I really believed that I had a lot to give to the children who were suffering from cancer and other diseases," McQuade said. "Running the marathon for Children's Hospital is finally a way that I can offer my time and talent to these kids."

However, in addition to the race, McQuade has been helping youth for quite a while. He's a math teacher at Boston Latin School, one of the oldest public schools in Boston, a volunteer in youth ministry and a coach. He said running the marathon is also a new way for him to help young people in need.

He trained with the Miles for Miracles Team for several months and is proud of his participation officially, with a number and all.

"It was awesome," he told Reminder Publications three days after the race. "I trained better this year than I did last year. Training better, I was more prepared. I felt better throughout the whole race."

Seeing his family planted on the sidelines helped as well. His parents and fianc e traveled to five different spots on the route to cheer him on to the finish line.

The fundraising isn't quite over as of yet. McQuade is still actively collecting donations and said any monetary contribution would be greatly appreciated.

"If anyone felt compelled, I still can receive donations for the Children's Hospital up until mid-May," he added.

To donate, visit www.childrenshospital.org or send a check made out to the Children's Hospital Boston to Tim McQuade, 3 Perkins Square, Apt. 9, Jamaica Plains, MA 02130.