Lynnfield Woman Running Boston Marathon For Children's Hospital

Lifelong Lynnfield resident Tracy Ellsworth is running in the 2013 Boston Marathon to help raise money for Boston Children's Hospital. This will be her first marathon, although Ellsworth reported in a recent conversation with Lynnfield Patch that she has competed in a number of half marathons.

Ellsworth, a member of the Lynnfield High School Class of 1985, has been a serious runner for about five years. At the age of 11 she was diagnosed with scoliosis - which she says has actually turned out to be something of a positive for her running.

The link to Boston Children's Hospital goes back long before Ellsworth's interest in running began. When her scoliosis got more serious after her diagnosis, she was fitted for her back brace at the hospital which allowed her to live a normal life later down the road. She was also able to avoid surgery with help from one doctor, Lyle Micheli, who advised her to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

"If it weren't for Children's Hospital, my life could have taken a different course," said Ellsworth. In the marathon, she will be running with one of the hospital's charity bib numbers.

Ellsworth has competed in four half-marathons, in Rockport, Lowell, Bermuda, and in the Rock 'n Roll one that takes place on the Las Vegas strip at night. On February 5th, she is heading to the Princess Half Marathon at Disney World in Florida. She runs in the Boston Marathon on April 15th.

Fundraiser For Boston Children's Hospital Feb. 7th at Giggles

Before then however, Ellsworth is also doing another fundraising effort for Boston Children's Hospital. On Thursday, February 7th, she has organized a comedy fundraiser at Giggles Comedy Club in the Prince Pizza Restaurant on Route 1 in Saugus. Comic Paul D'Angelo will reportedly be among the performers. There will also be unlimited pizza and a 50/50 raffle, reported Ellsworth.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show is at 8 p.m.

Tickets to the fundraiser are $20 and can be purchased at the door or in advance by contacting Ellsworth at 781-608-2541 or tjeesq@yahoo.com.

You can also visit Ellsworth's BCH fundraising page at this link.