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The Daily Insight

Why NHL legend Zdeno Chara ran in 127th Boston Marathon? Ex-Boston Bruins star supports two foundations

Author

Olivia House

Published Jan 17, 2026

Previous Boston Bruins protector Zdeno Chara overwhelmed the race at the 2023 Boston Long distance race
Subsequent to wearing the No. 33 pullover for the Bruins for 14 seasons, Chara properly wore the “3333” napkin for the race
He raced to show his help for The Hoyt Establishment and The Thomas E. Smith Establishment

Previous Boston Bruins protector Zdeno Chara overwhelmed the race at the 2023 Boston Long distance race even without his skates.

On Monday, Chara finished the 26.2-mile run in 3:38:23, an astounding time for a novice. The 46-year-old completed the race with a 8:20 mile pace and arrived at the midpoint in 1:49:40. Toward the back of the race, he hustled two miles under eight minutes, with his last mile coming in at simply 7:21.

Why Zdeno Chara ran in the 127th Boston Long distance race? Chara raced to show his help to The Hoyt Establishment and The Thomas E. Smith Establishment, two foundations that are unforgettable to his heart.

Popular Boston Long distance runner Dick Hoyt laid out the Hoyt Establishment alongside his cerebral paralysis enduring child, Rick. The Boston Athletic Affiliation and the Boston Long distance race have added to it for quite a while. The Hoyts straightforwardly roused the Bruins to win the Stanley Cup in 2011, as per Chara.

THERE HE IS!! Bruins legend Zdeno Chara has crossed the #BostonMarathon finish line — to the sound of cheers and the #NHLBruins goal song! ❤️❤️❤️

— WCVB-TV Boston (@WCVB) April 17, 2023

Chara additionally supported the Thomas E. Smith Establishment, which gives help for individuals loss of motion and their families. Chara hailed Tom Smith’s not-for-profit for its enthusiasm and obligation to supporting others, referring to him as “quite possibly of the strongest and moving story.”

Subsequent to wearing the No. 33 pullover for the Bruins for 14 seasons, Chara properly wore the “3333” napkin for the race.

Brock Holt and Ryan Dempster, two previous Red Sox players who each won a Worldwide championship while playing for Boston, likewise took part in the occasion on Monday. They each had kiddie apron numbers that matched the numbers on the rear of their Red Sox shirts. Holt was wearing the “1212” tucker, and Dempster was wearing the “4646.”

Chara confessed to Duke Castiglione of WCVB that the commemoration of the bombs was at the forefront of his thoughts when he crossed the end goal. “What this city and individuals showed, how they met up and upheld each other at that point, it was amazingly persuasive and motivating for us all,” Chara said. “Running 10 years after the fact, I generally had it in my sub-conscience. I just attempted to give my best those last couple of miles clearly. I was thinking about every one individuals who were impacted, and every one of the families.”