He’s running his 36th marathon to support those with visual impairments

Boston Marathon

This will also be Tony Ong’s 19th Boston Marathon and third running for Team With A Vision.

In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon athletes share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston. Looking for more race day content? Sign up for Boston.com’s pop-up Boston Marathon newsletter.

Name: Tony Ong
Age: 52
From: East Burke, VT

In what will be my 36th marathon and 19th Boston Marathon, I’ll be lacing up my running shoes to take on the 129th Boston Marathon with Team With A Vision (TWAV) — an official Boston Marathon Charity Team that raises vital funds for the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI). This incredible organization provides life-changing support to individuals with vision loss, and I am honored to run on their behalf.

This year marks my third time fundraising for TWAV, a cause close to my heart. MABVI’s mission is to empower individuals with visual impairments by offering essential programs and resources that help them live independently and fully participate in their communities. The funds raised go directly toward vision rehabilitation, local support groups, and one-on-one volunteer matches for blind and visually impaired individuals across Massachusetts. Many of MABVI’s clients are low-income elders who are experiencing vision loss for the first time and need adaptive strategies for independent living. Every dollar donated makes a tangible impact in helping them regain confidence and autonomy.

This marathon also marks the 30th anniversary of my first marathon, the 1995 Boston Marathon, a milestone that reminds me how much the running community has shaped my life.

Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.

Jessika Landon

Audience Engagement Co-op

Jessika Landon is the audience engagement co-op at Boston.com and a senior at Emerson College. She is a native of Bangor, Maine.