Eric Benson poses for a photo with daughters Camille (left) and Audrey after finishing second in his age group at the Paws and Claws 5K at Hopkinton State Park in 2024.
Although Eric Benson jokes about how hard training for a marathon is, it’s a privilege he takes seriously — especially because he wasn’t sure he’d get to this point.
“It’s a big deal for me,” said Benson.
The 50-year-old father of three is set to run his first marathon this year to benefit Hopkinton Little League. His run this year represents a prolonged effort to overcome physical health challenges that have affected him for years.
“I had written off this goal decades ago,” he said. “I decided this wasn’t going to happen.”
Benson’s journey to the marathon started in his youth, growing up in Milford. He started playing hockey from an early age. From there, he progressed into other sports, eventually falling into cross country and track.
“Hockey is what I was into, but we didn’t have a hockey team at the high school,” Benson explained. “I happened upon [cross country and track], and I got really into it,” he added, noting that the camaraderie of the team was a big draw.
After graduating from Milford High School in 1993, Benson took a break from running to focus on academics. He received a master’s in intensive special needs education from Simmons College and began teaching at Hopkinton High School in 2000. It was there he connected with legendary Hopkinton track coach and teacher Mike Scanlon.
Benson coached alongside Scanlon in 2002 — Benson’s last year of teaching at HHS — and picked up running once again. He began making plans to run the Boston Marathon when a knee injury sidelined him.
With his goal delayed, Benson shifted gears. He went back to school and earned a Ph.D. in clinical child psychology. He and his wife welcomed their first daughter, Elise, in 2009 and their second, Audrey, in 2012. The family moved to Hopkinton in 2013 and eventually had a third daughter, Camille.
His physical health issues remained, however. His knee problems, along with a recurring back injury that flared up in 2023, made movement difficult.
“Things had gotten to a point where I was hobbling around,” said Benson, calling the issue a “wake-up call.”
He found treatment through Platinum Physical Therapy in Hopkinton and began putting in the work to improve his condition.
“It wasn’t easy,” Benson said. “I took it real seriously.”
He began treatment in April 2024, and within a few months he saw improvement. He reported being able to walk and move around better. Eventually, walking became running, and Benson decided it was “time to make good” on the marathon plans he made decades before.
Hard training, recovery ice baths
Benson has spent his mornings since that decision training for the big race ahead. Juggling work and family has been a balance — one that his wife, Anne Beauchamp, has helped him maintain.
“There’s no way I could have done this without her,” said Benson, calling her his number one supporter.
Benson works his training around his job as a clinical psychologist for Boston Child Study Center. The job — which was inspired in part by his former teaching job in Hopkinton — has a lot of school hours, leaving his mornings free.
Weekends are saved for his long runs, accompanied by ice baths to help him recover. Throughout the process, Benson has had to learn where his limits are. He recounted a story of a planned 15-mile run that ended after 11 miles. After rethinking his training and upgrading his shoes, he has been able to maintain longer runs.
“I think one of the biggest lessons I’ve relearned in training for the marathon is you’re going to have days you don’t meet your goals,” Benson said, but “failure’s not an endpoint — failure’s a recalibration.”
Support for Little League
Benson will be running his first Boston Marathon to raise funds for Hopkinton Little League, an organization his family has been involved in for years.
“It’s a great organization,” Benson said. “I’m happy to do whatever I can to support [it].”
Benson’s daughter Audrey has been involved with HLL’s softball programs since she was in preschool. His youngest daughter, Camille, also plays softball. He says the program has been “very good” to both of them.
He also has gotten involved in the organization, stepping in as an assistant coach for Audrey’s team over the last several years. This season, he plans on coaching Camille’s team.
In late March, Benson was close to reaching his $6,000 fundraising goal (paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=RFBWN4PBZ5G8W). Beauchamp has helped him raise funds by organizing and running a silent auction that included fitness packages, swim lessons and even a lunch with Rep. James Arena-DeRosa.
Not concerned with a finishing time, Benson is committed to make it to the end of the course. “Run, jog, walk or crawl, I’m getting across that finish line,” he said.
Benson hopes his commitment to running the marathon is a lesson he can pass on to his daughters. He is dedicating his run to them as well as his father, who imparted the same lessons of hard work and perseverance.
“My father used to always say, ‘If any other person can do it, then you can do it. You just have to be willing to put in the work,’ ” he said.
Benson hopes to show his girls that it’s never too late to achieve your goals.
“If you’ve got goals to set for yourself, the best time to start is today,” he said.
Hooray Eric! What a great story. Hopkinton is lucky to have you! Have a great run!!