Alex Stenquist is running Boston as a fundraiser for Hopkinton Girls Youth Lacrosse after serving as an assistant coach in the program.

Ever since they were little, Alex Stenquist’s three daughters have visited their uncle’s house in Natick, right along Route 135, to watch the Boston Marathon. This year, the spot around mile 10 will be even more special, as their mom tackles the Boston course for the second time in her life and the first time since they were born.

“They have been watching the marathon since they were babies,” Stenquist said. “They have grown up cheering for people and having that experience, so I am going to be excited to see them.”

Stenquist is an experienced distance runner. This year marks her ninth marathon in total and her first since running the London Marathon in 2024. Her daughters, Hadleigh, 9, Miller, 7, and Quinn, 5, are pumped to see their mom run and were excited to hear that she had an interview scheduled with the local paper.

“They fully understand that I am not winning this thing,” Stenquist said with a chuckle. “But getting a chance to see me on the course and hug me on the course will hopefully inspire them to keep at it, too.”

Hadleigh, the oldest, already is asking her mom if she can join her and run a mile during the training leading up to the race. Running is something that has been in the family, Stenquist said.

“My dad was a runner, but he never forced it on us kids,” she said. “I would like for my kids to have a love for running. All you need to do is put on your sneakers and go.”

In addition to running for her children and her husband, Jared, Stenquist is tackling the course to benefit Hopkinton Girls Youth Lacrosse. Two of her daughters have been part of the program, and she has served as an assistant coach. Stenquist said she had every reason to say yes when asked whether she would run for an organization that has been important to her family.

“Living in Hopkinton, the spirit of the marathon is kind of contagious,” she said. “I feel really fortunate that some of the organizations I am a part of are able to secure a bib.”

The fundraising, she added, is easier because of the strong support network in town.

“I have fundraised before for marathons, and it’s different when you are fundraising for yourself,” Stenquist said. “With youth lacrosse, you have the support from people in town you have never even met. That feels really special.”

She said folks considering running the marathon for a charity in town should not feel intimidated by the fundraising goal.

“You are supported by this community that you don’t even know existed,” Stenquist said. “You have so much backing behind you.”