Inspired by his nephew fighting a rare form of leukemia, and a longtime friend fighting throat cancer, Newtown's Michael Floros decided to join the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge, whose participants raise at least $5000 for cancer research, while securing a spot to run in the Boston Marathon, on April 16. He raised over $9,000, mostly from small donations, with very strong Newtown support.

"People are very generous. Unfortunately just about everyone has been impacted by cancer, and when it hits home, you realize how important research is," Floros said.

The record rainfall in Boston that day did not dampen his spirits. But he was not entirely pleased with his time of 4:49 minutes.

"My iPhone stopped working, and I had no idea of my pace. After Heartbreak Hill, I must have slowed down, though I felt fine. The headwinds were unbelievable," he said.

His wife, children, and extended family and friends - including his two inspirational cancer warriors - were all there to see him finish.