Marblehead’s Tyler Callahan developed his love for distance running at St. John’s Prep as a member of its track teams, before graduating from there in 2023. He’s now a sophomore at Boston College, majoring in chemistry. Last year, he ran his first Boston Marathon in under four hours, and is running it again on April 21 in memory of his grandfather Arthur O’Neil, who passed away last October from malignant mesothelioma.
“At last year’s Boston Marathon, I finished the course in 3:46:46,” said Callahan. “I ran for my grandfather, who always supported me as a runner. He wanted me to do my very best. After he passed away, I wanted to still keep on running for him, because of that encouragement.”
From Tyler’s Dana-Farber fundraising page:
“This is my second year running (with) the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team. Last year was such an amazing success, and I cannot thank all of my donors enough for their generosity and support.
“I am so thankful for the time that Dana-Farber has gifted myself and my family with my grandfather. Their tireless efforts, (particularly) the amazing nurses, kept my grandfather positive. They always made his chemo treatments more manageable for him. I know it’s crazy to say, but he felt safe with them. Even though by the end of his treatments, it was not what any of us had hoped for, we all knew that the work of the doctors at Dana-Farber was the reason why Papa was still here with us.
“Now why do I still run? I run for Papa, the man who taught me how to be kind, to be compassionate, to meet people where they are and how to love others. All those (who met) him were able to see these qualities shine in him. No matter the person, he always treated them with love and care. He was a role model for all of us, and will continue to be one. No matter how tough his life would get, how bad the news, he was always able to stay positive and see all of the good in his life. The night that he told me he was going to stop chemo (last September), which would allow the cancer to run its course, there was no fear in his voice. He told me, ‘I’m (going to) try to stay positive.’
“Although he was sad to leave all of us behind, he went at this with his head held high and with a positive outlook. Whether it was coaching his kids, coming to any of his grandchildren’s events, meeting someone new or fighting cancer, he went into everything in life with confidence and positivity.
“I was lucky enough last year to be able to run in honor of my Papa, and having him be there at mile 23 cheering me on was the highlight of my year. Sadly, he will not be at mile 23 this year, but I know — and he assured me — that he will be on my shoulder with me every step I take (throughout life) until I see him again.”
Love for running started at the Vet
Growing up in Marblehead, Callahan attended the Eveleth, Glover, Village and the Veterans Middle School, before becoming an Eagle. It was at the Veterans Middle School where he started running as a seventh-grade student during the spring track season. His pursuit of running continued at the Prep on its cross-country, winter and spring track teams, before he graduated in 2023.
Tyler’s pursuit of running went to another level with the Eagles. During his senior year at the Prep, he participated in the annual Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association Cross-Country 5K Meet (3.1 miles), where his grandfather got to see him run a 17:23. Once he crossed the finish line, he received the biggest hugs from his Prep coach John Boyle and then his Papa Arthur O’Neil.
“Throughout my high school career, I was a solid seventh to 10th place finisher among my (St. John’s Prep) teammates. But then at Salem’s Turkey Trot in 2022, I was a top finisher in my age group. I completed that five-miler in 29:31.”
Tyler credits his neighbor Jennie Sheridan for getting him involved with the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team. She too will once again run Boston this year, but for the Expect Miracles Foundation, where she is director of programs.
Last year, Tyler individually raised $15,500 for Dana-Farber, and so far this year, he has $12,600 in donations. For those who want to donate in Tyler’s name, they may do so by going to this link: https://loom.ly/sDjZIpI
