Hanna Adams will be running the Boston Marathon this spring raising money for the Boston Public Library.
A 2011 GMHS graduate, Adams was born in Medellin, Colombia, in 1993. Her parents John and Cindy flew down when Adams was five weeks old and finalized her adoption in Bogata. At 11 months old, Adams was diagnosed with multiple physical and learning disabilities. Hanna began treatment at Shriner’s Hospital in Springfield Mass. which involved years of leg braces and physical therapy.
At age five, Adams ran the Kid’s Race for the Cure with her brother Ben after their mom battled invasive breast cancer. Adams went on to run cross-country and track through middle and high school in Granby. Finishing at the back of the pack many times, she set personal goals each week with GMHS coaches Walter Hansen and Dennis Lobo and slowly improved her time.
During the Threshold Program at Lesley University, Adams learned to never let her disabilities stop her from setting even higher goals each year. She became a certified early childhood teacher and began running half marathons and then marathons with her dad. In the past five years, she joined the Boston Fit Group and trained for marathons with a group of dedicated, hard working teammates. Hanna has completed six marathons in the last five years including the Marine Corps, Philadelphia and Chicago this past fall with her brother Ben. Now, it is TIME for Boston.
She is overjoyed to join this effort because she cannot remember a time when she didn’t go to the library to find joy, comfort and inspirational stories to guide her. Hanna has combined years of hard work and unbelievable courage to reach her goals and now she is asking for your help.
To join Adams in raising money for the Boston Public Library go to crowdrise.com/hannaadams1?lang=en-us.
Says Adams, “I have always been blessed to have a team of family and friends around me that has cheered me on even in the days when I finished last. Please know I never give up and am honored to have you join Team Adams this year to help me finish the Boston Marathon so all children can have great books to read and a sanctuary like the Boston Public Library that welcomes them.”