Students cheer on teacher running marathon for special cause

MIDDLEBORO — Two years ago, Kim Hokanson, a second grade teacher at Mary K. Goode school in Middleboro, received frightening news: She had breast cancer.  

She sought treatment from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Weymouth.   

After many months of treatments, and many more months of follow-up, all while never missing a day of school, Hokanson received the news that she is cancer free.  

This winter, she and her son, Greg, 26, were chosen to run in the 129th Boston Marathon, raising over $25,000 for Dana Farber Cancer Research in the process.

Mother and son began an intense training regimen, including running with their Dana Farber counterparts, exercising and continuing their healthy lifestyle and  eating habits.

About a month ago, Hokanson had an idea: She wanted to have her story come full circle. So she, along with colleague Diane Philips, scripted a day aimed to be fun and educational with learning activities around the Boston Marathon.

Philips is no stranger to the 26-mile internationally renowned race: She  has run the Boston Marathon three times.  

At learning station one, students read a story and saw a video about the history of the Boston Marathon, and completed a word search of the towns involved.  

At learning station two, students wrote letters of encouragement for Team Hokanson and other Dana Farber runners. 

At learning station three, students viewed the Boston Marathon map, added up the distance totals, and then made their own medal.  

Finally, at recess, students were treated to their own “marathon” run, where they “ran’’ from Hopkinton to Boston.  

The entire Mary K. Goode community wished Team Hokanson lots of luck, as they looked to achieve a personal milestone for an important personal cause.