Running for Boston: introducing our unicorn
As the official health insurance provider of the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) and sponsor of the Boston medley races—including the Boston Marathon® presented by Bank of America, B.A.A. Half, Boston 10K and the presenting sponsor of the Boston 5K—we at Point32Health are thrilled to have the opportunity to connect with local runners as they prepare for these races.
Whole health benefits to running
Running has proven physical and mental health benefits for any age. Just ask Paulette Murphy, a 67-year-old resident of North Attleboro, Mass., and upcoming Boston Marathon runner.
Paulette was awarded a 2024 Boston Marathon bib from Tufts Health Plan, a Point32Health company, through its “Catch the Unicorn” contest. Since starting the marathon sponsorship in 2023, our organization has continued to seek opportunities to engage with the community and support marathoners at every age and life stage.
For a chance to win a marathon bib through the contest, interested runners 60 years old or more were asked to write in with their reason for running and, ultimately, why running the Boston Marathon would mean so much to them. The social media contest ran for ten days and yielded many applicants, all with touching stories on the impact running has had on their lives.
For Paulette, her passion for running stood out. She shared that it initially came from her students. As a kindergarten and first grade teacher for more than 30 years, Paulette needed to keep up with their boundless energy. And to do that, she knew she needed to be in shape.
But the benefits of running went beyond the classroom. “Running and my community of running friends has sustained me physically, emotionally and spiritually for over 20 years,” Paulette shares as she goes on to talk about her group of running friends, appropriately named the Go Go Girls.
This group of five women have faced it all during their runs—rainstorms, wild animals and even frozen eyelashes. But off the course they’ve faced even more, being there for one another through divorce, illness, children, weddings and menopause.
“We supported and pushed one another to keep running no matter the problems we faced.” – Paulette Murphy
Running the Boston Marathon
Growing up just a few T stops from the city, Paulette enjoys all things Boston—from the sports teams to Marathon Monday. “I have cheered at the marathon for the greats—Bill Rogers, Joan Benoit [Samuelson] and Dave McGillivray—wishing and dreaming one day I would get a number to run Boston.”
And while Paulette has previously run three marathons, she’d decided against a future marathon run unless it was Boston. And it’s no surprise, as Boston is not only the world’s oldest marathon but one of the most prestigious, bringing in competitors from across the globe.
With so much passion for the sport and a love for her city, we are honored to have Paulette join our team to run those 26.2 miles and make her way across the finish line on Boylston Street.
“Running Boston will be the experience I have dreamed of since I watched my first Boston Marathon. I will no longer be a spectator; I will be a runner.”
Through our sponsorship with the B.A.A., we are excited to be able to continue to guide and empower healthier lives for all and look forward to what’s to come this year for marathon weekend.