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Listen in the app"I went back to Boston, and I found myself again. I found the Ali I knew was in there. The Ali who lives and breathes running. The Ali who had felt so isolated for so long, but who craves community and connection, and knows exactly where to find it."
We're just days away from the 130th Boston Marathon! Last year, I was honored to be asked to be the keynote speaker at the Boston Athletic Association's annual partner summit at the Museum of Science. I used the opportunity to share my Boston Marathon story. My story, as someone who grew up 80 minutes north of Boston, who knew nothing about the Boston Marathon, and who, even as an adult working in the running industry, felt like there wasn't a place for me in Boston. This is the story about how I found — or made — my place, and about how profoundly it has changed my life. This is my love letter to Boston, to the race, to belonging, and to the running community.
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"877. My Boston Marathon Pep Talk" is an episode of Ali on the Run Show. Runtime 34 min. Published April 16, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.