Resident has been Selected to run the Marathon

Northborough Resident Rich Toronto has been selected to run in the 2010 Boston Marathon on the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC) team.  Although it will be a challenge, he will be especially motivated by the excitement of knowing that it will benefit such a worthy cause.

This is a personal cause for Rich.   Rich’s daughter Leah was born with Down Syndrome 14 years ago.  Becoming a father is a life changing experience for most.  Becoming a parent of a child with Down syndrome has altered his life forever.  Down syndrome occurs when an individual has three, rather than two, copies of the 21st chromosome. Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition, occurring in one of every 733 babies.  There are more than 400,000 people living with Down syndrome in the United States.

How many times have you run the marathon?

This is my first marathon and my first race for MDSC.  I started running for casual exercise last March and began seriously training in the fall.  I try to run 5 times a week.  I’ve run the Applefest race many times and that race was one of the factors that led me to run Boston.  I finished 17th overall in the Applefest last fall and that really got me thinking that I could take my running to the next level.  I’ve watched the Boston Marathon many years and have attended the race a few times and I was inspired by the runners and the story each of them represented.

Does Leah ride along with you?

Most of my runs are at night starting around 9:00 and Leah is usually just going to bed.  She likes to ask me “how was the run?” and “are you really that tired?”.  She is also interested in how cold it was and lately the weather has not been runner friendly.

What are your goals for the race?

I finished the Applefest 5K race in 20 minutes 26 seconds.  My first goal with the Boston Marathon is to finish.  My second goal is to finish in under 4 hours.  My current fund raising goal is $4,000 and I’m very close to achieving my goal but I will continue to work hard to raise as much as possible for the MDSC.  Anyone who is interested in donating can go directly to http://mdsc.kintera.org/marathon2010 and click on the Sponsor Runner button and then enter Rich Toronto.

How has the MDSC benefited your family?

The mission of MDSC is to ensure individuals with Down syndrome in Massachusetts are valued, included, and given the opportunities.  MDSC provides new parents with information, resources and support through its First Call program.   My wife, Susan still remembers the reassuring telephone call she received from a parent in the program shortly after Leah was born.  I am looking forward to Leah participating in MDSC’s AIM (Advocates in Motion) program.  It is a social program for young people with Down syndrome.  Through MDSC’s library project, new books about Down syndrome are distributed to every public library in Massachusetts each year.  When Leah was born, my family and friends looked to their local libraries for more information about Down syndrome.  It is good to know that up to date books are available. These are just a few of the programs that have personally affected me and my family.

Good Luck, Rich!