On April 20, 2026, the 130th Boston Marathon will take place. The day is filled with members of the media, volunteers, and athletes who all come together to accomplish new goals. An average of 30,000 runners complete the course each year, and this year, Norwood High School’s own Joey O’Connor will be one of them. 

O’Connor teaches English Language Education at Norwood High School. As a former NHS student, he was a part of the track and field team; the majority of the time, going long distances. He has continued this passion for running outside of the school setting in events like the Falmouth Road Race. 

His family has always been his biggest supporters and motivation. He and his brother were raised in a running-loving family with their dad always suggesting they go on laps around their neighborhood.

“Technically, I have been preparing for years … he [O’Connor’s father] would do the thing where he opened the door and be like ‘I am going to time you; do the route,” he said.

This will be his brother’s fifth marathon, and he will run alongside him.

“He’s kind of been my running coach, running partner, and running planner, so he has been a big help,” said O’Connor.

Similar to other runners, Mr. O’Connor will be running and raising money for a foundation. He is partnered with the Matt Brown Foundation, which is Norwood-based. Matt Brown and Mr. O’Connor have grown up together since going to elementary school at Prescott and they continue to be friends. Brown was a hockey player who suffered an injury during a hockey game in high school. He was paralyzed.

“After college, he [Brown] started a charity for other people going through paralysis injuries and found ways to make their lives more accessible,” O’Connor said.

In October, O’Connor’s father sadly passed away, and he made it his goal to run for him.

“The last few weeks I had to switch shoes, actually, and I grabbed a pair of his Hokas, so I have literally been running in his shoes the past few weeks.”

Joey O’Connor’s goal is to finish with a time of 4 hours and 30 seconds, but he really just hopes to finish, no matter the time, next to his brother and with the dedication towards his father.

To donate to Joey O’Connor’s Boston Marathon fundraising effort, CLICK HERE