Boston next stop on road to six marathon stars

Dartmouth’s Emily Decelles, 28, has a dream to earn the six stars of the Abbott World Marathon Majors by the age of 30 and by the end of April she’ll be more than halfway there.

Back in 2016, Abbott began recognizing runners who have completed all six major world marathons, including Berlin, Chicago, New York, Tokyo, London and Boston. 

Beginning her long-distance journey in 2021 while on tour with the U.S. Navy, Decelles has completed the Berlin and Chicago marathons. She is set to compete in the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15 and six days later she’ll be headed to the London Marathon.

Decelles said she is excited to finally participate in the Boston Marathon while representing the Navy. 

“It’s a huge milestone for me because I didn’t start running until the Navy,” she said. “It’s more than just running. It’s more than just running Boston. It’s bringing my passion for running back with me back home to share that experience with people from around the world.”

Decelles is currently stationed at the Navy boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois, serving as a drill sergeant and turning citizens into sailors. Though she feels she could’ve done more in terms of training for the marathon, she has completed extensive physical therapy with recruits and has built up her endurance for Heartbreak Hill.

“I grew up watching the Boston Marathon,” she said. “It is considered the most prestigious marathon in the world.”

She recalls how “moving” it was to see people run through the streets of Boston and said she is thankful to be given the opportunity to participate.

Two other Dartmouth residents will run the marathon this year, according to the marathon’s entry list. Alex Boswell, 29, will join Decelles in the fourth wave and David Hawkins, 60, will be in the second wave. The marathon is celebrating 100 years at its starting location in Hopkinton this year.