North Reading resident Lori Mitchener is running the Boston Marathon for the Rett Syndrome Association of Massachusetts (RSAM) to raise money for their clinical trial. She has raised over $5,000 so far.   

This year she is running in for Ava and Juliana Tempesta, who have Rett syndrome, and in honor of their father Eric, who passed away suddenly eight months ago, Mitchener said. 

She trains six days per week, and last year she ran 2,011 miles. She has completed several marathons including Boston, the Shires of Vermont, Montreal, and Philadelphia. Next month she will run the Sugarloaf marathon and this summer, a half iron man triathlon at Lake Winnipausaukie.

This is her second year running the Boston Marathon. 

"Last year was great," she said. "I ran a 3:51 with my fastest mile 26, an 7:59 minute/mile pace."

When asked why she is excited about running the marathon this year, Mitchener said, "Everytime I run a marathon I recall my doctor telling me I would walk with a limp and cane after I broke my leg mountain biking in 1997. Anything is possible. I love the camradorie of Boston, and I have several close friends running with me."

She lives in North Reading with her three children, serves on the town's conservation board, and teaches environmental science at Middlesex Community College.