Biddeford woman runs Boston Marathon in honor of late mother

Running the storied Boston Marathon is probably every runner’s dream. But for Jessica Johnson, a Biddeford resident and Massabesic Middle School teacher, it wasn’t an overwhelming desire that prompted her. It was boredom.

“I was bored during COVID,” she said. “I was just bored, so I laced up my sneakers, and off I went.” 

The other reason, and one of her biggest motivators for running marathons, is her mother, who died of brain cancer in 2002.

All of Johnson’s races have been in her honor.

This year, Johnson is running in partnership with Dana Farber Cancer Institute raising money for cancer research. 

“My mom would’ve been my biggest cheerleader,” she said. “I always think of my mom.” 

Johnson’s mom often shows up in mysterious ways on marathon courses. Two years ago, Johnson got very sick on the Boston Marathon course. 

“I don’t know what happened,” she said. “I probably shouldn’t have kept going, but I did.” 

At Mile 15, Johnson stopped at a bus that was there to pick up runners who needed to step away from the course. 

She asked her mom for a sign to keep going. 

“Her favorite song came on the bus radio,” Johnson said. “I finished the race for her.” 

Johnson started running at the end of 2021, and by 2022, she qualified for her first half marathon. Since then, she has completed marathons across the country, including three Boston Marathons.

Johnson’s young daughters meet her at the finish line each year. (Courtesy of Jessica Johnson)

Next week, on April 20, she will run the Boston Marathon for the fourth time on its 130th anniversary, alongside 30,000 fellow runners. 

Founded in 1897, the Boston Marathon is one of the pinnacles of racing for marathon runners. It was one of the first to allow women to compete, and the first to feature a wheelchair division. 

Each year, over 500,000 spectators line up along the course to cheer on runners — from Hopkinton, to Natick, to Newton and finally, the finish line in Boston’s Copley Square, where Johnson’s daughters will be waiting for her. 

Johnson’s daughters have motivated her to finish the race every time, she said. 

“I’m always looking to set an example of what hard work does,” Johnson said. “But it’s also about body positivity. I work really hard to get out there, and that’s what I want to show them.” 

Each year, Johnson runs the marathon in honor of her mother, who passed away from brain cancer. (Courtesy of Jessica Johnson)

Johnson also runs to honor others who have lost their lives to cancer. Year after year, she asks her community who they would like to honor, and writes their names on her arms. 

“Why not find a way to honor other people’s memories too?” she said. 

While each of her marathons has been powerful and uplifting, next week’s race will be her last. 

She hopes to run a different marathon each spring, something she can’t do while running in Boston. 

“I want a personal record on this one. That will give me closure,” she said. “I’m going to go out with a bang.” 

Johnson is still fundraising for the race, and donations can be made through her Venmo, @RunForResearch. All proceeds will benefit Dana Farber Cancer Institute.