On Monday, April 21, ten incredible athletes will take on the 2025 Boston Marathon with Team Fox — each carrying personal stories, deep motivation and a shared commitment to ending Parkinson’s disease (PD). We caught up with eight of this year’s runners to learn more about what’s driving them to the start line, what they’re looking forward to on race day and what it means to wear a Team Fox jersey. 

MJFF: Why are you running the Boston Marathon?

Ella Hedman: I'm fundraising in honor of my grandfather and all those affected by Parkinson's. My grandfather has been living with PD for 14 years, facing each challenge with remarkable courage and determination. His resilience and strength in confronting Parkinson's inspire me every day, and I am proud to run in his honor.

Gary Hornbeek: I'll be running in honor of my mother Mary, who lived with Parkinson's for 15 years before passing away in 2022. I've previously run NYC, Chicago and Berlin with Team Fox, and I hope to eventually complete all six of the World Marathon Majors for the cause.

Greta Felten: I'm running for my dad, and for all the families affected by Parkinson's. I've witnessed the challenges and hardships PD brings, but also the incredible strength and resilience of those who face it. I'm running in honor of the highs and lows, and for the hope that one day we will find a cure.

Javier Illescas: I'm honored to join the team and support groundbreaking Parkinson's research. My father lived with a parkinsonism for nearly 25 years, and running with Team Fox feels like the perfect way to honor his memory and the resilience of my entire family — my father, my mother and my siblings.

Joellyn Fox: My father passed away this year, and it gave me pause — how do I want to honor his memory? He passed the running gene on to me, so this felt like a meaningful way to carry it forward.

John Corbett: I'm running in honor of my late grandfather, who bravely faced Parkinson's. This is a very personal cause for my family, and I am grateful for the opportunity to raise funds to find a cure.

Mike Finkelstein: I'm running in memory of my father, who passed away earlier this year with Parkinson's.

Sara Axelrod: I'm running in honor of my dad, Neil, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's five years ago. Running a marathon is a challenge, but living with PD is a challenge like no other. I hope that by running and raising funds and awareness, I can help my dad and others with Parkinson's.

MJFF: What are you most looking forward to on race weekend?

Ella: I'm so excited to cross the finish line and run past my apartment!

Gary: The post-race celebration, of course! My 85-year-old dad will be in town, and we'll have a nice dinner to remember my mom. I'm also looking forward to the run — finishing Heartbreak Hill and passing the Boston College students at mile 21.

Greta: My dad cheering me on — he has always been my greatest cheerleader in sports, academic and professional endeavors.

Javier: Completing my sixth and final World Marathon Major whilst honoring my father's memory precisely fighting the illness that undid him.

Joellyn: It will be an overwhelming experience. I'll feel like I'm running with a team toward a cure and will be lifted by the support of so many people I've worked with during my 17 years treating people with Parkinson's. I cannot wait to wear orange and the Team Fox logo with great pride!

John: Marathon Monday in front of family and friends in Boston. I grew up attending the marathon with my uncle, and I'm excited to finish running down Boylston Street myself.

Mike: Oh everything! It's incredible! The rush, the excitement, the camaraderie, knowing you're part of something bigger than yourself. And you've never seen a city come alive and come together like during a marathon. People cheering you on, yelling your name, celebrating what you're doing for 26.2 miles straight. There's nothing like it!

Sara: Seeing my family and friends, especially my dad, along the course route! When I was at Boston College, it was so awesome to cheer runners on as they finished Heartbreak Hill. I am excited to be on the receiving end of those cheers!

MJFF: What does putting on a Team Fox jersey mean to you?

Ella: It's more than just a race. It's an honor to be able to raise money and awareness for a cause so close to my heart.

Gary: It's a tribute to the millions of people who have battled Parkinson's. The suffering I endure while training for and running the marathon pales in comparison to what they go through.

Greta: It serves as a constant reminder of my motivation and inspiration while I'm running. More importantly, this is the start of a lifelong commitment to supporting Parkinson's research.

Joellyn: It means hope, dedication, support and a better future.

John: I'm proud to be supporting such a great organization that does important work that is so near and ear to my family.

Mike: It means everything to me. I know my dad would still be here if it weren't for Parkinson's. And at moments in my life — both last year when he was diagnosed and this year after he passed — when it's so hard not to feel helpless, to be given the chance to take on this challenge and try to make my small dent in this battle with such a massive support system having my back; there are no words for that. It's an honor.

Sara: It means everything to me. It's a reminder of my dad's diagnosis, the many miles I ran in preparation for this day, and lastly, it is a reminder of hope for a future without Parkinson's thanks to The Michael J. Fox Foundation and their research programs.