Warren County runner is a Boston Marathon ‘streaker’ with a heart for helping others

Warren County resident Nancy Smith is part of an elite group—runners who have completed 22 or more consecutive Boston Marathon races. She finished this year’s marathon on April 18, with an official finish time that was 30 minutes under the required time for her to maintain her streak.

Nancy Smith beams after completing her 22nd Boston Marathon earlier this month. / Courtesy photos.

Boston Marathon officials in February contacted Ms. Smith to inform her that she was one of only 181 athletes who held an active streak of 21 or more consecutive marathons, and just one of 24 female entrants. When she hits 25 consecutive years of running the marathon, Smith will become a part of the runner-led Quarter Century Club (QCC), a group of Boston Marathoners who have completed 25 or more consecutive races.

Of the 109 members of the QCC with active streaks, about half are from the Northeast; about a third are from Massachusetts, according to the Boston Athletic Association. Perks of the club include a team dinner and a bus ride to the start. ‘Streakers’ with 25 or more consecutive finishes are allowed to register early for the next marathon without needing a qualifying time.

Smith and her husband, both retired teachers, moved to Warren County from Michigan in October 2020.  Citing the cold winters—and harsher training conditions for Nancy—the couple relocated to Warren County to be closer to family.

Smith, being cheered on by bystanders.

A runner since her college days, Smith said that having a career, raising three children and pursuing a master’s degree caused running to take a back seat to other things, though she began running earnestly again about 26 years ago.

Training is definitely easier in Warren County, she said. “I never expected to be on this journey for so long.  Looking back at it, I don’t take any of it for granted,” she said in a Monday morning phone conversation.

Smith says that while she is committed to her training, she has cut back a little over the years.  She currently runs four of seven days, averaging 35-40 miles per week.

In addition to staying the course for 22 consecutive marathon runs, Smith is also part of a group of 500 who run on the charity team of Dana-Farber. This year’s Boston Marathon marked the seventh year she has run as part of the fundraiser group.

Smith runs with the Dana-Farber charity team, which has raised over $6.1 million for innovative cancer research. Her running shirt bears the photo of Brooke Mulford, who died in 2017. Smith has raised over $45,000 in the last seven years and says she is proud to run in honor/memory of Brooke.

The group has raised $6.1 million for innovative cancer research; Smith herself has raised a total of $45,000 over the last seven years, with $8,555 going into the charity’s coffers this year. “I feel honored to run in honor and memory of my patient partner, Brooke Mulford,” Smith said.

Sadly, Brooke lost her battle with cancer in June 2018. Her mother, Amy, keeps in touch with Smith, and after this year’s Boston Marathon, she sent Smith a photo taken during the race when Smith ran past, bearing Brooke’s image on the back of her shirt.

To learn more about the Dana-Farber charity team, or to donate to Smith’s fundraiser, click here: Make a Donation to Support a Runner – Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge (jimmyfund.org)