My journey to The Boston Marathon has taken some unique turns the last couple years. In 2021 I started training to run a qualifying race. About a month into training I learned that I had a large benign brain tumor that needed to be removed and forced me to stop running for about 6 weeks. I was very fortunate have a great outcome from my surgery and my only long-term side effect is I lost my hearing in my right ear. In 2022 I decided to start training again to try to run a qualifying race. I was successful and ran a qualifying time in April of 2022. Unfortunately, I found out 2 days after the race that the course was 1/3 of a mile short and ultimately The B.A.A. wouldn't accept any times from that race as qualifiers. Here is a link to a KMBC Story that they did on me and the Garmin Olathe Marathon.
KMBC Article Garmin Olathe Marathon Tyler Alt
Fortunately, many months later a good friend was able to help me secure a sponsors bid to run April 17th, 2023 in the 127th Boston Marathon. I am excited for this challenge!
I wanted this race to be about something much bigger than me. Therefore, I am working to raise money for the Olivia Bloomfield Foundation and am running this race in her memory. Olivia was the most amazing 10 year old that you have ever met. My wife was her kindergarten teacher and we have become great friends with her family. Olivia made an incredible impact both locally and nationally by striving for inclusivity for children of all ages and abilities. It is my hope that maybe I can help in a small way to continue her legacy of inclusion. Here is the link to her foundation website.