Team IMPACT: Meet Marianne Knudsen
The 124th Boston Marathon commences on Monday, April 20th, and IMPACT Melanoma is once again proud to present Team IMPACT. Comprised of a dedicated group of runners that come from different backgrounds and levels of running experience, each of our runners share a passion for our cause – which is to spread awareness and prevention initiatives with regard to the incidences of melanoma around the United States, and, with our lead, the world.
Many of Team IMPACT’s members are survivors, family members of survivors, or a person who has lost a loved one to melanoma. Together, along with our partnership with the Boston Athletic Association, we’ve been able to make great IMPACT over the years raising in excess of $2 million, which has gone to directly benefit IMPACT Melanoma’s mission of prevention, education, support, and advocacy in the fight against melanoma.
As mentioned, each of our team members have unique reasons as to why they’re contributing efforts to Team IMPACT, and, as such, we’re highlighting a handful of them in support of their run, and their campaign to raise necessary funds.
With that in mind, please join us in welcoming and thanking, Marianne Knudsen!
IMPACT Melanoma: How’d you learn about IMPACT Melanoma?
Marianne Knudsen: When I started thinking about running the Boston Marathon I immediately knew that I wanted to support a cause that has had a large impact on our family. As my husband has been through melanoma cancer treatment twice, I searched the Boston Marathon website for any charities related to melanoma, and IMPACT turned out to be the ideal charity for me.
IM: What made you decide to get involved and commit to a spot on the team? What does said spot mean to you?
Knudsen: Being offered a spot on Team IMPACT means so much to me. I feel honored to be able to help support this incredible cause along with so many motivated individuals. I decided to get involved with the team along with my daughter, Alberte, as we wanted to take on this project together, so we’re doing the fundraising together and I’m running.
IM: How many marathons have you run in the past? What do you take away from these experiences?
Knudsen: I have run three marathons, most recently the New York marathon in 2017, which was such an incredible experience for me. The main takeaway from that experience was that I knew I wanted to have such an experience again!
IM: I know it’s hard to predict, but how do you think this particular run will stack up?
Knudsen: I am almost certain that this marathon will be the best experiences out of all the runs I have participated in. After the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 I have heard so many stories about people who were affected by the attack and have come back to run the marathon again since. That kind of celebration of life that all the participants and the crowd will take part in is what I think will make the Boston Marathon 2020 even more amazing.
IM: What is your personal stance/battle cry with regard to skin cancer and taking care of one’s skin?
Knudsen: Being from Denmark where we tend to have extremely pale and sensitive skin, me and my family have always had to be extra careful with the sun in general. In addition to that, my husband has been through melanoma cancer treatment twice, which is something that had an immense impact on our whole family. During his most recent treatment, he went through an 8-hour surgery and 5 preventive radiation sessions, which was a very tough experience. We’re so grateful for the care he was given and that he has now been cancer-free for over a year, and wish for others struggling with melanoma that they can receive the same level of expertise we were given.
IM: What’s your pre-race ritual? Some sort of specific cuisine the night before?
Knudsen: I don’t have a specific pre-race ritual but I make sure to get a lot of sleep and eat healthy and eat enough the day before. During the race, I don’t eat or drink anything the first 10 km, and after that I drink some water and eat small snacks every 5 km for the remainder of the race.
To get involved and make a donation:
Visit Marianne’s runner profile here to help her reach her personal goal:
https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/impact-melanoma/alberteknudsen
Visit our Team IMPACT profile page here: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/impact-melanoma
