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April 17, 2007

Manning completes marathon for her young son

Dan Guttenplan

More than four hours after the first Kenyan crossed the Boston Marathon finish line yesterday, Byfield’s Ellen Manning completed her mission to her son, Finnegan, a 3-year-old cancer survivor.

Manning crossed the line in 5:47.47 with her husband, Michael, by her side. At the time of her finish, she had raised $9,925 for cancer patients at MassGeneral Hospital for Children.

Finnegan contracted testicular cancer almost two years ago and is now in remission, having received his last radiation treatments last August.

Ellen Manning made a pledge to run this year’s race after her husband raised more than $28,000 last year. He joined her for the final six miles yesterday, leaving Finnegan and older brother, Jameson, 6, with friends and family at the MGH hospitality tent.

“It was totally awesome,” Ellen Manning said. “I wasn’t even sure if I’d finish once I got to the 10-mile mark. Sometimes you can surprise yourself with what your body can do.”

The statement could also describe her youngest son’s bout with cancer. After being diagnosed in 2005, Finnegan underwent three surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation over the course of a year. He also made overnight stays at Massachusetts General Hospital every third Friday for intravenous injections.

“Mass General has been so good to us and our son,” Michael Manning said. “They cured him of cancer. The least we could do is run a marathon once a year to fundraise for a good cause.”

Ellen made a pledge to run this year’s race days after her husband’s finish last year. Her son’s cancer-free diagnosis did not impact her decision.

“I wasn’t a runner at all,” Ellen said. “It’s my husband’s turn next year, but I’m going to keep running. It’s our hope to keep running the marathon until our kids are old enough to do it.”

Michael Manning, a geologist at Pro Science in Woburn, will take his turn in the rotation next year. It will be his second marathon. Ellen Manning, who works as an adjustment counselor for the school department in Peabody, may switch roles, serving as her husband’s relief running partner in the closing miles.

“Right when we’re really tired, we keep going because the money we raise goes to such a great cause,” Michael Manning said. “Between the two of us, we’ve almost raised $40,000 for cancer research. It’s the least we can do to say thank you.”

If you would like to donate to Ellen Manning’s charity — MassGeneral Cancer Care for Kids — please visit www.firstgiving.com/ellenmanning.

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