Roland Ruprecht will run Boston with his twin brother and raise money for the Hopkinton Scout Leaders Association.

Roland Ruprecht has double the reasons to run the Boston Marathon.

The Hopkinton resident is raising money for the Hopkinton Scout Leaders Association. The organization, he said, has greatly benefited his 8-year-old son Emmett, a member of Cub Scout Pack 97.

Ruprecht won’t be running alone. Along with sharing the course with thousands of other participants, Ruprecht will be running alongside his twin brother, Edward.

Even as he prepares for the biggest race of all, Ruprecht explained that running is a fairly new venture.

Ruprecht was a longtime cyclist when he moved back to the United States after living overseas for work. He traded in a cycle for a pair of sneakers and developed a new passion for running.

Running is more portable than cycling, he noted, and does not require taking along equipment.

Some of his new enthusiasm for running was inspired by his twin, a devoted marathoner. Ruprecht decided to take up running in part “to do something with my twin brother.”

The two, he notes, are quite competitive. Ruprecht outran his brother in their first race, and their times were “very close” in the second effort.

Together they will run the biggest marathon of all.

The race especially excites Ruprecht because he now lives in the town where the marathon begins.

“It’s iconic,” he said. “The history behind it and being able to start a marathon in the town that I live and going through all the different towns that I know.”

After running other marathons, he appreciates that the race reflects the spirit of the host community, which in this case happens to be his hometown.

“Being a part of their community is special” to runners, he said. “To get to appreciate their culture, their community.”

Having support from bystanders and fellow runners makes the marathon experience special, he added.

And so does running for a cause that he values so greatly. When the family returned to the United States, Emmett didn’t really know anyone, his father noted.

Involvement in the Scouts helped him develop a sense of belonging, Ruprecht said.

In his two years of participation, Emmett has “learned good sportsmanship and respect for himself and his peers and his leaders.”

Those are “two big’’ values to instill, Ruprecht said.

His son’s reaction to the pack’s recent Pinewood Derby showcased the growth he has made, Ruprecht said. While a loss might have been greatly disappointing during his first year at the derby, this year Ruprecht was proud of the support his son showed fellow competitors.

He also has enjoyed sleepovers at Mystic Aquarium, Roger Williams Zoo and Sturbridge Village and science-based experiences such as a rocket launch.

That made running for the Scouts an easy decision, he said, noting: “I thought it would be a great way to help the kids.”

The Scout Leaders Association appreciates Ruprecht’s effort and notes that he will benefit the entire scouting community in Hopkinton.

“The funds that Roland is raising will help fund Eagle projects for Boy Scouts, gold and silver projects for Girl Scouts and high-adventure trips for our older Scouts,” association treasurer Bruce Tannenbaum said.

When he takes the starts the race in his hometown and runs the famous 26 miles with his twin brother, Ruprecht has a specific goal, one that does not involve numbers on a digital clock.

“We’re looking forward to running and finishing,’’ he said. “Our goal is not a time, but to cross the finish line together.”

And with each shared stride, as the travels his hometown race known around the world, he will be accompanied by the enthusiasm and gratitude of Hopkinton scouts, serving as the wind at his back.