Franklin Resident Takes on Boston Marathon for a Cause Close to Home

For more than 20 years, Franklin has been home to Chris LaFountain and his family. It's where he and his wife raised their two children, both of whom were diagnosed with autism at an early age. Through their experiences, the family has seen firsthand both the challenges that families affected by autism can face and the difference that access to the right resources and support can make.

Now, Chris is preparing to run his first Boston Marathon in April 2027 as a member of the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism's marathon team.

The Flutie Foundation helps people on the autism spectrum live life to the fullest by expanding access to essential therapies, adaptive programs, family support, and community resources. For Chris, supporting this mission is personal.

From Spectator to Marathon Runner

Chris ran plenty of 5K and 10K races many years ago, but this year he returned to running for a fairly simple reason: he wanted to get healthier.

As he rediscovered running, he also remembered the many Boston Marathon Mondays he spent cheering on runners along the course. Whether watching near his former office in Natick, after a Red Sox game, or near the finish line on Boylston Street, he always wondered what it would be like to be one of those runners.

After years of watching from the sidelines, he decided it was time to find out.

The opportunity to run for the Flutie Foundation brought together two things that mean a great deal to him: the chance to participate in a race he's admired for years and the opportunity to support an organization whose mission has special meaning to his family.

Of course, there's the small matter of running 26.2 miles.

Preparing for his first marathon means running four days per week, gradually building his endurance, and learning that some runs are considerably more enjoyable than others. Soon, he'll also join fellow Flutie Foundation runners for team training sessions along the Marathon route, including hill training to prepare for those infamous Newton hills.

Running for a Cause

Training is only one part of Chris's marathon journey. As a member of the Flutie Foundation team, he's also raising funds to help support the organization's programs and services.

Anyone interested in contributing can visit his online fundraising page.

He's also finding some creative ways to spread the word. There are fundraising QR codes on the rear window of his car and on his laptop. So, if you happen to see a laptop sporting a QR code at a local café, there's a pretty good chance you've found him!

Chris and his family are also organizing a Mah Jongg fundraising event on January 19, with proceeds supporting the Flutie Foundation's mission.

A Community Effort

The Boston Marathon is five months away, and there's still plenty of running and fundraising ahead.

For Chris, crossing the finish line on Boylston Street will be a tremendous personal achievement. But the opportunity to help the Flutie Foundation continue providing resources, opportunities, and support to people with autism and their families is what makes the journey especially meaningful.

He hopes the Franklin community will join him in supporting a cause that has made a difference in the lives of families like his.

Whether through a donation, participation in a fundraising event, or simply helping spread the word, every bit of support is appreciated.