With two successful half marathons under their collective belt, Kate Devitt and three of her friends decided to double it.
The results of the 22-year-old Belmont native’s marathon research yielded a consensus decision: the group would tackle the London Marathon. A 2020 Belmont High School graduate, Devitt flies to London on Thursday ahead of Sunday’s race and looks forward to representing her hometown and a cause close to her heart, Alzheimer’s Research UK. Both of Devitt’s grandmothers passed away from Alzheimer’s-related illnesses.
“It takes a lot to fundraise; it takes a lot to ask people for money,” Devitt said. “I wanted to be as authentic as possible in this process, and Alzheimer’s is under-researched, underfunded, and there’s no cure… I think it’s a cause [that] a lot of people can get behind because they’ve known someone who’s experienced the disease.”
A field hockey player and track and field runner at Belmont High School, Devitt’s prior half marathons were in Barcelona, where she studied abroad, and Amherst, where she went to college, UMass, Class of 2024.
A weekend trip to London during her semester abroad was Devitt’s only prior visit. London may be more than 3,200 miles from Belmont, but a key aspect of Devitt’s path to competing in Sunday’s famed 26.2-mile trek relates to Belmont Center.
As of Wednesday morning, Devitt had raised £2,300. Her goal, which she intends to reach by the end of the fundraising period, is £3,000, roughly $4,000.
Devitt, whose day job is in marketing at a clean energy technology company, looks to complete her fundraising with a raffle for three gift baskets with items donated by local Belmont businesses Rancatore’s, Patou, A Chocolate Dream, Butternut Bakehouse, Rachel Walter’s Collection, Bessie Blue, and Karma Fine Crafts.
Each basket has a theme: boutique, food, and coffee. Tickets are $15, $12, and $8, respectively, a maximum of four per person, and can be purchased via Venmo @Kate-Devitt. Winners will be announced on Instagram and will be contacted directly following the marathon. Those interested in entering the raffle should email Devitt between Wednesday and Sunday to purchase their tickets.
“It was really special to see how accepting and willing to help the small businesses were,” Devitt said. “I’m really thankful and grateful for the support I received. All the organizations that donated were really curious about the cause, supportive and willing to help in any way they could.”
Devitt’s shooting for about a 10-minute mile, or about four and a half hours. She’s not sure about running another one, but if so, she’d choose Boston. Many friends and family members plan to travel to London and support Devitt. She’s amped up for the spectators and scenery.
“I know that the energy is going to be really high,” Devitt said. “I’m looking forward to the crowds and also running by all the iconic London staples.”
