When Crossroads Chiropractic’s Dr. Jen Phillips laces up her running shoes for the 130th Boston Marathon next month, she won’t just be chasing a personal goal—she’ll be running for something much bigger than herself.
Dr. Jen will join hundreds of runners at the starting line as a member of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge, one of the largest and most impactful charity teams in the race. The Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge began over three decades ago with a small team of 19 runners dedicated to raising money for cancer research. Today, it has grown into a community of more than 500 runners each year and has raised over $140 million to fund innovative cancer research programs.
“I’ve always admired the Boston Marathon, but running it through the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge makes it incredibly special,” said Dr. Jen. “Every mile I run represents hope for families facing cancer.”
Dr. Jen said the mission behind the team was what motivated her to apply.
“Cancer touches nearly every family in some way… my grandfather passed away from liver and colon cancer. My mom is a breast cancer survivor and this past year alone two other family members have been diagnosed with cancer.” she said. “Running for Dana-Farber gives me a chance to contribute to something bigger than myself and help move research forward.”
Dr. Jen is no stranger to running. As a Nashua native, she ran track for her high school team. She continued in the years following college and recently completed the 100-mile Ghost Train Trail Race in Brookline, NH. Even with that October ultra-marathon under her belt, training for Boston still required months of preparation. Dr. Jen has spent many dark, cold, early mornings before work and snowy weekends logging long miles to build endurance for race day. As a chiropractor, she views the experience as an extension of the wellness principles she encourages in her patients.
“I spend my days helping people move better and take care of their bodies,” Phillips said. “Training for a marathon reminds me just how resilient the human body can be when we support it with the right habits.”
Dr. Jen has focused on mobility and stretching, strength training and staying hydrated. In addition, she has committed to regular bodywork in the form of chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy and physical therapy/recovery care. Dr. Jen has further disciplined herself to maintain good sleep habits, stay well fueled with healthy daily nutrition and continuous mindset work.
When training for a marathon, every advantage counts. For example, routine chiropractic adjustments ensure proper joint alignment and maximized nervous system function. Research suggests that on-going chiropractic care may enhance athletic performance through improved flexibility and range of motion, proprioception, muscle coordination and reaction time— all key to elite performance.
The Boston Marathon is one of the most prestigious races in the world, drawing top athletes and dedicated runners from across the globe. The course stretches from Hopkinton, Massachusetts, through eight communities before finishing on Boylston Street in downtown Boston.
For charity runners like Dr. Jen, however, the race is about much more than the finish line.
“When I’m out on a long run and it starts to get tough, I remind myself why I’m doing it,” she said. “Knowing the miles are helping fund cancer research keeps me going.”
Dr. Jen has organized numerous fundraisers within her community to benefit Dana Farber, from traditional raffles, to online football squares, a candlepin bowling event and a community restaurant night. Friends, patients, and local supporters have made donations, with many of them planning to attend the Patriot’s Day race to cheer her on in person.
“The support from the community has been amazing,” she said. “People really want to be part of something that makes a difference.”
The 2026 Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team’s goal is to raise $8.75 million for the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research. By the time Dr. Jen arrives at the starting line in April, she will have completed over four months of training and raised over $15,000 in funds that will go directly toward advancing cancer research and improving patient care.
No matter what her finishing time ends up being, she says the real victory is the cause she’s running for.
“Crossing that finish line will be emotional,” Phillips said. “But the most important thing is knowing that every step helped support research that could change someone’s future.”
Donations can be made until April 20th at http://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/Jen_Phillips