By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Hudson – Dan Milton of Hudson links some of his favorite memories with his first running experiences. Only a few days after participating in his 19th consecutive Boston Marathon on Monday April 20, he’ll run Sunday, April 26, in his first London Marathon to fundraise for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation (LSGF).
“I’m most looking forward to finishing in London – and then running another major marathon,” he said. “My goal is to run all six of them.”
In addition to Boston, he has run the Chicago and New York marathons. His “to do” list includes Berlin, Germany; and Tokyo, Japan. He’s also looking forward to helping his benefiting charity.
According to its website, “The LSGF’s goal is to help young people overcome the limitations imposed by challenging social issues including poverty, homelessness, war, violence, drug abuse, discrimination and AIDS. To do this, Laureus supports and assists a worldwide program of sports-related community projects that have been working to educate children, protect the vulnerable from illness and even bring people from divided communities together in friendship.”
Milton feels strongly about this foundation. He knows firsthand what happened to a childhood friend with whom he played sports.
“His father lost his job and they had to move away to another city,” he said. “Because of that, they couldn’t afford for him to play sports after school. He fell in with the wrong crowd and started doing drugs. A lot of kids end up in trouble if they don’t have something to do after school. He would have benefited greatly from the LSGF.”
An interest in running began for Milton in his late 20s when a niece shared an observation at Thanksgiving dinner.
“I was waiting in line to fill up my plate and she said, ‘You’ve got a big stomach,’” he relayed. “After that, I decided to start running.”
His first Boston Marathon is still his favorite.
“I didn’t know what the heck I was doing,” he acknowledged. “I had only three weeks of training. Six miles was my longest run. I showed up at the starting line in my Converse high-top basketball shoes.”
Now, Milton is an active member of the Highland City Striders (HCS), a running club with participants from Hudson, Marlborough and surrounding communities.
“They’re an awesome bunch of people,” he said. “Everyone looks out for each other.”
HCS is getting involved with Milton’s fundraiser, for which he needs to collect at least $3,200. He’s paying for the registration fee and traveling expenses himself. All donations go directly to the LSGF. A raffle is being offered as an incentive to donate. Winners will be drawn Tuesday, March 17, following HCS’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Fun Run, beginning and ending at Finnegan’s Pub, 25 South St. in Hudson.
A $20 donation gets one entry into the raffle; $50 gets three; and $100 gets 10. The first prize is a Garmin watch, donated by PR Running in the Westborough Shopping Center; second is a $50 gift card to the Wildwood Restaurant, 189 Boston Post Rd. East in Marlborough; and third is a $33 gift card to Rail Trail Flatbread, 33 Main St. in Hudson.
Donations can be made online at justgiving.com/Daniel-Milton1. Those preferring to donate by postal mail can send a check made payable to “Daniel Milton,” 47 O’Neil St., Hudson MA 01749. He’ll make the donation on their behalf.
Instead of Converse high-top basketball shoes, this time Milton will wear a head camera while running his first London Marathon.
“I’m videotaping the whole run,” he said. “I’ve never been to London before.”
For more information about the LSGF, visit laureus.com/content/sport-for-good-foundation.