2023 Runners

Runners are the key members of the Credit Unions (CU) Kids at Heart Team. With the generous help of the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) and Boston Children's Hospital (BCH), the CU Kids at Heart Team obtains “bibs,” limited entries awarded for charitable fundraising purposes, for the Boston Marathon. The CU Kids at Heart Runners train with and run, as part of the BCH Miles for Miracles Team, but the money they raise is restricted to the CU Kids at Heart Team's research initiatives at BCH. Our Runners are paired with Patient Partners who have received care at BCH, and many form a life-long bond.

Danielle Ciaccio

Danielle is running the Boston Marathon for the fourth time and is paired with her son Patient Partner Jackson. Jackson has been with the CU Kids at Heart Team since the 2014 season (9 years).

Jim Duda

Jim is ready to run the Boston Marathon for the sixth time and has paired with Patient Partner Matt. Matt has been on the CU Kids at Heart Team since the 2012 season (11 years).

Dan Kracke

This is Dan's second year running the Boston Marathon and he is paired with Patient Partner Anthony. Anthony has been on the CU Kids at Heart Team since the 2020 season (3 years).

Mike Gillespie

This is Mike's first time running the Boston Marathon and he will be running for his Patient Partner Maddy. Maddy has been on the CU Kids at Heart Team since the 2014 season (9 years).

Dipak Panigrahy

Dipak is running again for his second time. He will be running for his Patient Partner Tim and in memory of CJ Buckley. Tim has been on the CU Kids at Heart Team since the 2003 season (20 years). Lucy and Carter Buckley have been on the team for 6 years.

Todd Millay

Todd is running the Boston Marathon for his third time and will be running for his Patient Partner Vraj. Vraj has been on the CU Kids at Heart Team since the 2017 season (6 years).

Ed Smith

Dr. Smith is running the Boston Marathon a third time and will be running for his Patient Partner Everett. Everett has been on the CU Kids at Heart Team since the 2010 season (13 years).

Dan Ziniti

I am proud of my Patient Partner Ryan, for whom I have run since 2019 and I am running this year because I believe in the mission of Boston Children's Hospital and in the impact that CU Kids at Heart's targeted funding has had on the lives of patients with pediatric neurological disorders and their families.

Dan is running the Boston Marathon for the fifth time and will be running for his Patient Partner Ryan. Ryan has been on the CU Kids at Heart Team since the 2015 season (8 years).