Meet the Sportsmen’s 2027 Marathon Team!

Sophia Heredia

I want to run for Sportsmen’s because its mission connects so closely with the work I’ve been passionate about throughout my time at Boston College. I have always been drawn to working with children and creating spaces where they feel supported, encouraged, and confident in themselves. Through my involvement with 4Boston Service, I’ve spent the past few years volunteering in Boston schools and working directly with students, which has shown me how meaningful it is to be a consistent and positive presence in a child’s life. I’ve also been involved with BC Bigs through Big Brothers Big Sisters, where I have had the opportunity to mentor the same student throughout my time at BC. These experiences have shaped the kind of community member and future educator I want to be.

What especially drew me to Sportsmen’s is the way tennis is used alongside education and enrichment to give Boston youth those opportunities. I love that the organization is not just providing a sport, but creating a community where young people can develop confidence, relationships, and skills that extend beyond the tennis court. As someone who has always loved sports and has seen the impact that athletics can have on a child’s confidence and sense of belonging, this mission really resonated with me

I’m especially looking forward to getting more involved with STEC, meeting the kids and families, and seeing firsthand the community I’ll be running for. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to combine something I love with a cause that aligns so closely with what I care about.

Gabriel (Gabe) Daley

Being selected to represent Sportsmen’s Tennis and Enrichment Center in the Boston Marathon is something I’m truly grateful for. The opportunity to take on a challenge as meaningful as Boston while raising funds for kids and families in the community makes this experience about so much more than crossing a finish line.

As a father, I see firsthand the impact that community sports have on my own kids—the confidence, friendships, discipline, and sense of belonging they gain from being part of a team. That connection is also personal for me. I was a latchkey kid throughout elementary school, and I know what it feels like to spend a lot of time on your own at a young age. Looking back, I have an even greater appreciation for organizations that provide kids with a safe place to go, positive role models, and opportunities to grow through sports and enrichment.

I’m incredibly proud to have the opportunity to represent Sportsmen’s and help support the work they are doing in the Boston community. Every mile I train and ultimately run on Marathon Monday will have a greater purpose behind it, and I’m excited to use this opportunity to raise both funds and awareness for an organization and mission that I can personally connect with.