Middlesex County
CHAPTER
Middlesex County (MA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
Boston Marathon Fundraiser
Supporting the Community in Every Turn
The Links, Incorporated is an international, not for profit corporation established in 1946. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. Since 1976, the Middlesex County (MA) Chapter has played a vital role in addressing the needs of our community and enriching the lives of those in the suburban Boston community. As you consider your support for our Marathon Team, we invite you to explore our site to learn more about the work we are doing in the community.
About Our Marathon Campaign
Support the Middlesex County (MA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated’s Marathon Team running at the 129 th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, 2025. Proceeds from this fundraiser will help the Middlesex County (MA) Chapter of The Links Incorporated continue its charitable work and programming efforts.
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Over the past eleven years, we have contributed over 27,000 hours of service to community partners including We Belong, Steppingstone Foundation, and Brookview House; that also comprised creating a computer lab and a children’s library for residents of Brookview House.
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Our contributions extend beyond service hours to include multifaceted programming for local students of color, including a college readiness component and programming designed to address the educational gap of young women in Kenya.
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During COVID-19 we focused on wellness programming, partnering with Boston Medical Center Healthnet for COVID-19 Clinics, and providing Mental Health Awareness programming for youth. This programming was so well received, it is continued today.
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We have funded over $310,000 in scholarship support for African American students enrolled in medical school and high school seniors who have enrolled in an accredited college or university.
With your help, we can do more. Thanks for your generous support of our runners and our work!
If you would like to make a donation by check, please make the check payable to The Links Foundation and mail to the attention of Middlesex County Chapter of The Links, Inc., Financial Secretary, 42 Pope Road, Acton, MA. 01720. For those using Charitable Donation Accounts, apply Funds to Taxpayer ID 52-1170830.
Meet Our Marathon Team
An incredible athlete is running to raise funds for the Middlesex County (MA) Chapter of The Links Incorporated's programs in the community and scholarships dedicated towards undergraduate students in addition to those who are enrolled in medical school. Thank you for supporting them!
Andrew O. Brooks Sr. "Drew"
Drew's Personal Story
I’m a life member of Kappa Alpha Phi Fraternity Incorporated and the Vice Captain of Black Men Run DC who enjoys setting running goals. I ran my first marathon in October 2011. I caught the running bug when I ran my second marathon in December of the same year. In October 2015, I celebrated completing 100 marathons including one in every state.
During my journey I volunteered to pace over 50 marathons to help other runners achieve their goals. In Jan 2023, I finally completed my biggest feat of running a marathon on every continent with Antarctica being my 200th marathon. I also completed 5 of the 6 majors with Boston being the 6th. My ultimate goal is to finish 350 marathons before I retire.
Dr. Kelvin Brown
Kelvin's Story
Dr. Kelvin Brown is a proven entrepreneur, surgeon, author, public health expert, and avid marathon runner. With over 21 years of experience in the health care industry, Dr. Brown founded Precision Weight Loss Center (PWLC) in 2008. PWLC has grown exponentially from 2008 to 2024, directly serving thousands of clients from across the United States, including individuals from some of the largest Fortune 500 companies. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the center remains a leader in promoting health and wellness.
In addition to PWLC, Dr. Brown founded the Vital Outreach Foundation, which provides critical health care services to underserved populations, and Syncosystem, Inc., an innovative company poised to positively disrupt and transform the health care industry, public health, and business practices.
Dr. Brown was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and earned his medical degree from the UAB Heersink School of Medicine in 1998 while simultaneously obtaining a Master of Public Health degree in Epidemiology from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health. He completed his surgery residency at Emory University Hospitals in 2003 and is certified by the American Board of Surgery. During his time at Emory, Dr. Brown completed a thesis addressing health care disparities, titled “Sociodemographic Determinants of Chronic Disease Risk Factors Prevalence Among Racial and Ethnic Groups in the United States.” At UAB, he distinguished himself as the second African American in the school’s history to graduate in the top 10 percent of his class.
A proud father of three and the author of two books, Dr. Brown is also a passionate fitness enthusiast. Since completing his first marathon in 2022, he has gone on to run two additional marathons in 2023 and an impressive five marathons in 2024. His 2024 races included three Abbott World Marathon Majors—Berlin, Chicago, and New York—furthering his journey toward becoming a World Marathon Majors Six Star Finisher.
Dr. Brown is set to achieve another milestone when he runs his first Boston Marathon in April 2025. His dedication to health, perseverance, and passion for running inspire those around him to push beyond limits and embrace a healthier lifestyle.
Marathon
HISTORY OF THE BOSTON MARATHON
The First Boston Marathon
After experiencing the spirit and majesty of the Olympic Marathon, B.A.A. member and inaugural US Olympic Team Manager John Graham was inspired to organize and conduct a marathon in the Boston area. With the assistance of Boston businessman Herbert H. Holton, various routes were considered, before a measured distance of 24.5 miles from Metcalf’s Mill in Ashland to the Irvington Oval in Boston was eventually selected. On April 19, 1897, John J. McDermott of New York, emerged from a 15-member starting field and captured the first B.A.A. Marathon in 2:55:10, and, in the process, forever secured his name in sports history.
In 1924, the course was lengthened to 26 miles, 385 yards to conform to the Olympic standard, and the starting line was moved west from Ashland to Hopkinton.
