Boadman runner meets third set fund-raising goal

Staff report

Boardman

After three months, Boardman resident Rick Blair reached his third fundraising goal of $26,200 for Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley on Thursday.

Blair started raising money after he qualified to participate in the Boston Marathon through the John Hancock nonprofit marathon program on the condition of raising money for a nonprofit organization.

After setting and reaching $5,000 in January in a few weeks and then reaching his goal of $10,000 just a few weeks later, Blair said he prayed with his wife and set a new goal of $26,200 by April 18 for the 26.2 miles he’d run at the Boston Marathon.

Though he never doubted reaching his goal, the short time it took did surprise him.

“I felt $5,000 was an impressive number,” Blair said. “But to get that five times over is fantastic.”

Blair wants to thank his wife, children, God, Rescue Mission and the whole community for their unwavering support for his fundraiser, which he said he could never have achieved without them.

Blair said donations are still adding to the $26,200 he raised, and he will accept money until April 18. Blair said he wants to focus on preparing for the marathon, which is just a little more than a week away.