Mark Ambrefe

I don't think anyone expects to wake up one morning and decide they're gonna be a runner. I know I didn't.

What I also didn't expect is for that one Wednesday afternoon to change everything.

What started as a simple attempt to meet some new people and maybe even find a regular workout routine be a bonus turned into a group of incredible friends and the reason why Wednesdays are my favorite day of the week. That's not to discount Mondays that provde me with hot yoga and my weekends that provide me with much needed time with my friends or an escape to the White Mountains...but I'm getting off track here.

Let's wind the clocks back to August 2021. When I first joined my local running club, I was just happy to finish a 5k every single Wednesday night with both of my legs intact. Then, in May 2022, not even a year into my running career, I finished my first half marathon that I signed up for completely impromptu. I had already liked running by then, but this was around the time where I started to develop a deep love for running - and it's only gotten deeper and stronger since then.

My big victory for this past June was conquering that same half marathon again. Equipped with the proper training and knowledge of what I was getting myself into, I shaved over 20 minutes off my finishing time from last year.

It was that and witnessing something astronomical that changed everything again.

In April 2023, five members of our running club and one of my other best friends ran Boston. This was the first time I saw the Marathon in person. I knew it right then and there, I knew what I wanted next.

I didn't want to be a bystander, I wanted to be out there running with everyone else.

As soon as I finished my half marathon journey in June, I got to work. I figured out how to get my chance at running the full 26.2 miles, and now I have it. I can't tell you how my story will end, but I can tell you exactly how it begins. It begins with me giving it my all, and more importantly, it begins with all of the love & support you all provide to make this possible.

My name is Mark Ambrefe, and this is the beginning of the journey towards my first marathon. Wanna tag along?

There's one simple answer as to why I'm supporting the Flutie Foundation:

Self-advocacy.

I was diagnosted with autism at an early age. While my journey has had its fair share of the good, bad, and ugly, I always attempt to sum it up with a focus on the positives exclusively. Through it all, I've been able to find my career calling in computer network engineering at my local vocational school, finish college, finish my Master's degree, land a job that rewarded me with some unforgettable travel experiences, and build an incredible group of friends through all different points in my life. This allows me to sum myself up as an extroverted individual with a passion for engineering, running, and the great outdoors who is never one to say no to new experiences or friends. Even though I still have my struggles and recognize I'm not always the easiest person to interact with, I consider myself extremely fortunate to have a solid support system of friends, family, and coworkers to help me through it all and push me to be the best that I can be.

I want EVERYONE with autism to have equal access to the same opportunities that I've had that got me to where I am today. Organizations such as the Flutie Foundation make this possible.

When I was researching charities that I could work with to get a shot at running the Boston Marathon, I found the Flutie Foundation. I knew right away that it was THE organization I wanted to represent above all others. When you're donating, you're donating to a cause that I have a deep and strong connection to. You're donating to make a BIG difference to a community that I'm a direct part of.

Let's make that difference together!