Patricia Aylas likes marathons so much she named her business after them. She’s the owner of Marathon Pets, an animal care and dog-walking business in Newton, Mass. Aylas had a number of close friends who worked at Perkins, and she says that motivated her to run the Boston Marathon for the school. “I am in awe of Perkins,” she says. “The teachers are amazing and so dedicated and they seem to meet every challenge head-on.” Aylas has run 10 previous marathons, but never Boston. “I would like to experience the Boston Marathon and take in all the spectators’ cheers and well wishes, and finish strong,” she says. “I dedicate my run to the students at Perkins. They are truly inspirational." Support Patricia's Run for Perkins!

Kelly Cote isn’t just an employee at Perkins – she’s running her second consecutive Boston Marathon for the school. “I had an amazing experience last year,” she says. “I fully believe in Perkins’ mission, and I am committed to helping students with vision loss achieve greater independence.” Cote has worked at Perkins for a decade and is now Supervisor of Outreach Short Courses. In that role, she coordinates programs that give public school students with visual impairments an opportunity to learn daily living skills. As a child, Cote says she was inactive and didn’t participate in sports. “I never would have imagined that I would run a marathon in my lifetime. Now here I am looking to run my second marathon!" Support Kelly's Run for Perkins!

Heather Drury says there’s a simple reason why she’s running the Boston Marathon. Her daughter, Paige, was born with a rare genetic disorder that left her blind. After an initial period of despair, the family found Perkins. “Perkins has become an invaluable source of knowledge, support and comfort,” Drury says. “Perkins is able to provide the kids with unique and amazing opportunities that we as individual parents probably couldn’t. Perkins gives such hope to everyone that comes through its doors.” Now, she’s delighted to have an opportunity to “support an institution that helps so many kids reach for their dreams.” Drury, who lives in Glastonbury, Conn., has competed in dozens of shorter races, but this will be her first marathon. Support Heather's Run for Perkins!

Terry Harvill likes high-energy activities – he bikes and climbs mountains – but his favorite sport is running for charitable causes. “I have run close to 30 marathons, and I get the most enjoyment knowing that I’m helping others,” he says. That’s especially true when he’s running for an institution like Perkins. “I consider it an honor to be part of the team that will represent the school,” he says. A resident of Novi, Michigan, Harvill is a vice president at ITC Holdings Corp. This will be his first Boston Marathon. “Every marathon I have run has been an adventure, and I don’t expect the 2012 Boston Marathon to be any different,” he says. “I consider it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Support Terry's Run for Perkins!

Carrie Cullen Hitt decided to run 26.2 miles for Perkins because she’s personally seen how the school can help children and families. “I know two people who utilize Perkins’ services. I wanted to show my appreciation for that,” she says. “I am also aware of and impressed with all the improvements Perkins has made in the past five years.” Hitt has run the Boston Marathon twice before, including last year when the race fell on her birthday. “This year it’s two days before, so I can relax on my birthday!” she says. Hitt is president of the Solar Alliance and lives in Scituate, Mass. In addition to running, she stays active by hiking, skiing and coaching children’s sports. Support Carrie's Run for Perkins!

Richard Muscio knows the challenges of being blind. He lost his sight in 2001 because of an accident and a torn retina. Six surgeries and 15 months of forced inactivity later he recovered his vision, but not before he had gained 40 pounds. He took up running to lose the weight, and has since competed in four marathons. “I experienced firsthand how difficult it is to make one’s way through the world on a daily basis without eyesight,” he says. “So I applaud what the team at Perkins is doing to make visually challenged people’s lives better.” Professionally, Muscio is a CPA and co-host of a radio show about finances and estate planning. He lives in San Diego, Calif. Support Richard's Run for Perkins!

Derek Perkins spoke for Perkins; now he’s planning to run. The Sudbury, Mass. resident is a professional voice-over talent who has narrated audio books as a volunteer at the school’s Braille & Talking Book Library. It’s been a very rewarding experience, he says. “Listening to the feedback from some of the Perkins staff on the difference audio books make to their and the students’ lives is all the motivation I need.” Now that he’s trading a microphone for running shoes, Perkins says competing in the marathon will be “an extension of the volunteering I already do.” Perkins, who shares a last name with the school but has no family connection, has run nine previous marathons, including eight in Boston. Support Derek's Run for Perkins!

Lisa Smith has a very personal link to visual impairments. Her son Nathan, 14, is legally blind from Achromatopsia, a rare genetic eye disease. “When I came across Perkins School for the Blind, I knew it was meant to be that I run for their team,” she says. “It is wonderful to know that the children and young adults who attend Perkins are receiving such special attention and instruction so that they can become more independent and successful in their daily activities.” Smith lives in Jupiter, Florida, and is a teacher at Lake Park Baptist School. “I have run five previous marathons and am looking forward to experiencing the excitement of Boston for the first time as number six!” she says. Support Lisa's Run for Perkins!

Stephanie Spindler found out what a difference Perkins makes in children’s lives when she met Alexis, a co-worker’s daughter who attends the school. “Hearing about the opportunities Perkins provides for children like Alexis has shown me that Perkins is a wonderful and special place,” she says. “I want to be part of the team that can help make a difference for Perkins. I believe every child deserves to have what they need to help them grow to their full potential. For Alexis and other visually impaired children, I know that Perkins is the best place for that to happen.” A resident of Methuen, Mass., Spindler works as a financial analyst at Philips Healthcare. She ran her first marathon in 2011. Support Stephanie's Run for Perkins!

Kathryn Traut was impressed when she ran the 2004 Boston Marathon and saw all the people running for various charities. “I was amazed to see how many people were pushing themselves for a cause they believed in,” she says. “I want a chance to do the same.” Traut didn’t have to look far to find a good cause – she’s a teacher in the Lower School at Perkins. “I decided to run the marathon because I really love my job,” she says. “Perkins really has a profound impact on so many people. My students inspire me to run, as well as the dedicated staff that I am surrounded by.” Traut recently moved to Hopkinton, Mass., the starting point for the Boston Marathon. Support Kathryn's Run for Perkins!