Hopkinton’s Aamir Benincaso (center) will return to the Boston Marathon after finishing last year’s race.

Hopkinton native Aamir Benincaso is running for the Michael Lisnow Respite Center for the second time, after completing last year’s race. He hopes that his participation will help make strides toward greater acceptance of people with disabilities in town, pointing to the Respite Center and the Hopkinton Center for the Arts as leading the way in providing inclusive activities.

The Michael Lisnow Respite Center has provided emotional and physical support for individuals with disabilities and their families for the past 26 years.

“It’s an honor to run for this charity that means so much to me and my family,” said Benincaso. “It means so much to me representing the town of Hopkinton and all those with disabilities, physical or intellectual.”

He called representing the nonprofit, the town and all people with disabilities “the triple effect.”

“Growing up with a brother with special needs, I met so many families who had the same challenges,” he said. “The Michael Lisnow Respite Center helps people combat this endless marathon that I saw firsthand at a young age.”

Benincaso explained that his family was fortunate that both of his parents were in healthcare.

“Luckily, we had my grandparents and an uncle to help when they could,” he said. “But unfortunately, there are those who don’t have that, and that’s where the Michael Lisnow Respite Center kicks in.”

He added that the Respite Center’s nonprofit status was another factor in his decision to support it.

“When I was looking for a charity to run for, I wanted to have a heart-to-heart connection with it,” said Benincaso. “At the Respite Center, they have a lot of heart there. And I found a charity that gives me a lot of pride because of what they do.”

He was first introduced to the Respite Center when he was a student at Elmwood Elementary School many years ago.

Said Benincaso: “I have such respect for all of our teachers in Hopkinton who taught us to be empathetic and kind and gave us an opportunity to visit the Respite Center during the Elmwood School years.”

Benincaso was a member of the varsity tennis team in high school, which sparked his interest in athletics.

Training includes State Park

Benincaso first began walking for the Jimmy Fund Walk in 2022 to support the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He did this to honor his grandfather, who died during the pandemic from lung cancer.

“During the pandemic, I started slowly and gradually building up my endurance and my miles,” he said. “Six became 13, and then 13 became 21 until I got to 26.2 miles.”

Benincaso spent a lot of time training at Hopkinton State Park because of the hills.

Said Benincaso: “I call one incline there Mini Heartbreak Hill.”

He was able to connect with other town runners there, talking with them about why they run and the causes they support. He calls this “the home team” because they all represent the town in a competition that draws runners from around the world.

Added Benincaso: “Learning about all the other stories about why people are running is remarkable.”

Many of his neighbors enjoy running, so he was able to get pointers from them.

Although he is looking forward to this year’s race, Benincaso is hopeful that the day won’t be as brutal for runners as the last Marathon Monday.

“It’s good to test your body,” Benincaso said with a laugh. “It was so hot last year that it was challenging. During training, I think the coldest temperature I ran in was 28 degrees. You really have to push yourself to get across the finish line.”

He was happy to finish the race with a teammate. But once it was over, the exhaustion overwhelmed him.

This year, Benincaso is well prepared and enthusiastic about his run.

“I have so much energy from the pride that I feel that I think I will finish the marathon, no problemo,” he said. “I will keep powering through to the finish line.”

‘Disability awareness and acceptance’

Benincaso said his “personal mission is to promote disability awareness and acceptance.”

“There are some places around the world that don’t take care of people who are disabled,” Benincaso lamented. “It’s a blessing to live in such a welcoming town.”

He observed that Hopkinton is becoming more inclusive by having a Commission on Disability that understands the spectrum of challenges people face. Benincaso also praised the Hopkinton Center for the Arts and its executive director, Kelly Grill, for embracing the disability community. He enjoys attending the Friday Night Sing-Alongs for adults with disabilities.

“It’s always interesting to see what songs people pick,” he said. “Last time, my brother sang ‘Footloose’ by Kenny Loggins. It’s a form of expression in the town, and it’s nice to have that. And you get to have a little small talk there when we’re enjoying the performances.”

Benincaso expressed thanks to Grill and all of the staff members of the Michael Lisnow Respite Center, including founders Sharon Lisnow and Mary McQueeney.

“I plan on running for many years, and am so grateful for the support from family, friends and our Hopkinton community,” he added. “When it’s time, I will encourage the next generation to be on the home team.”