Amy Burke’s Story

How are you feeling heading into Runway’s 20th year?

Amy Burke is feeling strong.

Mentally and physically, she feels great. And as Runway for Recovery prepares to celebrate its 20th Anniversary Show, Amy has a milestone of her own to celebrate.

This year, she was part of Runway’s first Boston Marathon team.

For Amy, that accomplishment still feels huge, especially because she did not consider herself a marathon runner.

“I’m super proud of that accomplishment,” Amy says. “Especially being the only non-runner or marathon runner in the group.”

What makes it even more meaningful is that Amy is still technically in treatment. She is in a maintenance phase, still on medication, still receiving a monthly shot, and still seeing her oncologist every month.

When her doctor asked about her workout routine, Amy casually mentioned that she was training for the marathon.

“She was like, ‘What?’” Amy says.

Her doctor reminded her that the medications could make her more tired than usual.

Still, Amy kept going.

“I think it was pretty incredible that I was able to do it,” she says.

What was it like to cross the finish line?

Crossing the Boston Marathon finish line was unforgettable.

Amy felt strong until around Heartbreak Hill, where many of her family members were waiting. Seeing them around mile 18 or 19 gave her a burst of energy, but by mile 20, the exhaustion hit.

Her legs hurt. The race became a rhythm of walking, running, stretching, and starting again.

By mile 24, Amy told herself to power through.

Then, at the corner of Hereford and Boylston, she saw her cousin Shannon, Shannon’s children, and her husband Justin.

Shannon was cheering and crying.

Amy started to tear up too.

“I was like, if I stop, I’m not going to be able to keep going,” Amy says.

Shannon told her to keep going.

Then Amy turned onto Boylston Street and saw her husband jumping up and down on the corner.

“I just lost it,” Amy says.

She knew he was going to try to make it to the finish line, but she was not sure if he would get there in time.

Then, after she crossed, she saw her parents nearby too.

It was loud, chaotic, emotional, and incredible.

“It was amazing,” Amy says.

What did it mean to run for Runway?

Amy had always wanted to prove to herself that she could run a marathon.

But running it for Runway made it more powerful.

She and her family try to go watch the Boston Marathon every year. Her kids love it. Her husband had run two marathons in his twenties. So when Runway received marathon bibs, Amy felt like it was a sign.

“If I’m going to run it for someone, I’m going to run it for Runway,” Amy says. “I wholeheartedly believe in their mission and helping families.”

At the start of the race, Amy and the other runners met Siobhan Donovan, one of the people whose family has been supported by Runway.

Siobhan thanked them.

“I am one of those families,” she told them.

For Amy, that moment made everything feel even more meaningful.

“It made it all worth it,” Amy says. “It was the coolest thing ever.”

Amy felt honored to be part of that first team.

 

What did the marathon mean for your children?

For Amy, one of the most meaningful parts of the marathon was showing her children what it looks like to take on something hard.

Her kids saw her through treatment. Now, they are also seeing her run marathons, walk runways, and do things that once may have seemed impossible.

During marathon training, Amy’s son Jackson would ask about her Saturday runs.

“Mommy, are you running the marathon today?” he would ask. “Can we come cheer you on?”

Amy would tell him, not yet.

When race day finally came, her children were ready.

They made signs. They wore temporary tattoos Amy had created with her cancer saying: “Line them up and knock them down.” The tattoos also included 26.2 and the Runway logo.

Jackson wore his on his wrist and, according to Amy’s dad, kept his sleeve pulled up the entire time with his arm held out, waiting for Amy to run by.

Her daughter Kennedy wore one of Amy’s Runway singlets with “Amy’s Army” on the back so she could twin with her mom.

“It was super cool,” Amy says.

What are you most excited about for October?

This year, Amy hopes to walk the Runway stage with her two children.

When she walked the first time, it was something she wanted to do for herself.

“I want to do this for myself,” she remembers thinking. “This is my celebration.”

Now that she has had that moment, Amy feels ready to share the stage with her kids.

“It’s time to be like, ‘Hey, do you guys want to come walk with Mummy and celebrate it together?’” she says.

She is also excited that all four members of Runway’s Boston Marathon team will be at the 20th Anniversary Show.

For Amy, the night will be a chance to reunite, celebrate, dance, and honor everything they accomplished together.

 

What are we celebrating this year?

This year, we are celebrating Amy’s 26.2 miles, completed while still in maintenance treatment.

And we are celebrating the power of lining up the hard things in front of you and knocking them down, one by one.

On the Runway stage, we look forward to celebrating Amy as she returns for the 20th Anniversary Show with her children, her marathon team, and the strength that carried her all the way to Boylston Street.