Age: 23 (24 on race day!)

Occupation/title/what you do: Graduate (PhD) student at Harvard University, Department of Biostatistics.

What motivated you to join the PAWS Chicago Marathon team? I wanted to run on behalf of a charity with which I felt a personal connection. And though I live in Boston, I grew up in Chicago and spent a lot of time working in the city's animal shelter system. Homeless animals are often overlooked, neglected, and too quickly disposed, when most of them make loving companions. I wanted to run for them because too often no one does.

Is this your first marathon? Yes!!

On mile 20, what will you think of to keep going? My dog, Gerrard. He is a two-year-old corgi/dachshund/beagle/basset hound mix, and he never gives up. He is my best running companion (on runs less than 6 miles), and even when he is tired, he keeps on running at my side. He never wants to let me down, and I won't let him down on race day.

What obstacles/fears/challenges are you overcoming by running the marathon?  
I fear I won't be able to stick to a training schedule and will not finish on the big day. I am also overcoming a recent ankle injury.

Why PAWS Chicago? I believe that PAWS Chicago can make an immediate, direct difference
in the lives of many animals (and humans) in a way that no other organization can.

How did you find out about the PAWS Chicago Marathon Team? The Chicago Marathon Website.

To support Jessica's marathon quest, click here.