Adam Zandonella and his wife moved to Hopkinton from Boston in 2016 to start their family. After his two oldest children had a positive experience at the MetroWest YMCA’s Outdoor Center in Hopkinton, he became motivated to run the Boston Marathon to support it.

“Over the past couple of years, we’ve slowly become more connected to the community as the kids have gotten older,” said Zandonella, noting his children are 8, 7 and 3 years old.

Zandonella confessed that he is not the prototypical marathon runner.

“My body type is not one for a runner,” Zandonella explained good-naturedly, noting that he is “built more like a football player.”

Although he does not describe himself as athletic, in school he played soccer, basketball and volleyball.

Said Zandonella: “It’s funny because back then, running used to be the punishment.”

Adam Zandonella is raising funds for the MetroWest YMCA Outdoor Center in Hopkinton with his Boston Marathon run.

“I’ve always loved the idea of running the Boston Marathon,” he continued. “It’s been on my bucket list. If you live in Hopkinton, it’s almost like you need to.”

He added: “It all starts here, so it all makes sense.”

While he has run a few half-marathons, Zandonella has been making huge strides in building confidence and endurance since beginning training in January.

“I’m not sure if my body will withstand continuous training past this marathon,” he added. “But I’m excited to be doing it for a great cause.”

Connection with town blossoms

Now the 39-year-old Connecticut native is motivated to run to support the organization that brings joy to his family (givengain.com/project/adam-raising-funds-for-metrowest-ymca-112044).

Zandonella first became introduced to the MetroWest YMCA’s leadership team through a networking group, where he met Ron Foisy. A Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce member, Foisy also serves on the town’s Zoning Advisory Committee and is a longtime Boston Marathon volunteer.

Foisy introduced Zandonella to Bartt Pinchuck, the executive director of the MetroWest YMCA’s Outdoor Center (metrowestymca.org/locations/outdoor-center), at a fundraising event. A couple of weeks later, Pinchuck asked Zandonella to join the community board.

“My kids had attended the camp there the summer before,” he explained. “It felt right just to be able to help and also just give back a little bit of my time in any way I can.”

He noted that the camp was a great way for children to connect with their peers.

“We need this today more than ever,” Zandonella said. “No electronics. Just building those bonds with other friends and being outside is fantastic.”

His son “got hooked” at the sports camp, according to Zandonella, and begged to return the next summer. Now he is developing an interest in hockey.

In contrast, his daughter, who is “very artsy,” greatly enjoyed the arts and crafts activities with fellow students. One of her most memorable experiences was visiting a local farm where she could pet and feed horses.

“They really have a huge variety of programs that promote health, wellness and youth development,” he added.

Zandonella’s work as a financial advisor for New York Life Insurance Company gives him the flexibility to be able to pick up the children after school as well as to train. He earned a master’s in business administration from Boston University in 2019 after obtaining his undergraduate degree at Fairfield University, where he also met his wife.

He lived in Boston from 2010-16, making him very familiar with the route along Commonwealth Avenue.

Zandonella serves on the MetroWest YMCA’s Finance Committee. His accounting acumen led him to become a member of the Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce, taking on the role of treasurer.

Support network provides motivation

“There’s an incredible level of support and accountability that has helped me a lot,” Zandonella said of his relationship with the MetroWest YMCA.

The MetroWest YMCA’s running team is connected through WhatsApp, he noted. Members have shared their progress, techniques and tips over the past few months, even recommending pain-relieving gels. Some of the members who have run the Boston Marathon described to Zandonella the exhilaration that motivates them to return year after year.

“The MetroWest YMCA has been great,” said Zandonella. “We also meet every two weeks on Zoom with the board. They encourage us and help us remember who we’re running for and why.”

Zandonella began with a 1-mile run in early January. He gradually increased his distance over several weeks to prepare for the 26.2-mile event.

“I’m really excited,” he said. “I always tell my friends I’m not running to win the race. I’d encourage people to do it, because it’s like, if I can do it, anyone can do it.”

Living near the Whitehall Reservoir, Zandonella said he has a picturesque training area steps from his home.

“I remember when I first moved here,” he recalled. “I did one lap around and thought it was a monumental achievement. Now, it’s a good day’s run.”

Another motivator is when students on the school bus cheer him on as they pass him, he added.

Added Zandonella: “They say, ‘Wow, you’re going so fast!’ But I think it’s actually the bus.”

The mental element of running has been incredibly impactful, he noted.

“You don’t believe how much you can do until you do it,” said Zandonella.