Mallory Sakats will run the Boston Marathon to raise money for the HPTO.

Mallory Sakats is looking forward to running in the Boston Marathon on April 15 because she believes no other event “holds a candle to it.”

“I think it is definitely the energy, the electricity that fills the whole route from Hopkinton to Boston that makes the marathon special,” she said.

Sakats is running on behalf of the Hopkinton Parent Teacher Organization (HPTO). She has a goal of $6,000 to support the group that helps fund enrichment programs, technology, field trips and more for students from preschool through Grade 12.

“The HPTO does a lot for students and faculty. This is a great way to give back to an important cause,” Sakats said. “I’m proud to support the local community and that [the HPTO] chose me as their runner.”

Sakats has a daughter attending Marathon School while her son is in preschool.

She grew up in Southborough and has fond memories of coming to watch the Boston Marathon.

Playing field hockey through her Union College days, Sakats noted she ran the Boston Marathon on behalf of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute five times before having children.

Now the owner of a medical billing company, she began running again two years ago with groups including Moms Run This Town in Hopkinton.

She noted that running with the group “reignited” her love for it and motivated her to start training for the big event along with several other members.

“It’s been a natural progression and really fun,” Sakats said.

Her training regime consists of running three or four days per week during the early morning, usually around 5:30. She had been progressively adding miles over time and had reached around 16 miles when speaking with the Hopkinton Independent in late February.

By the end of March, she expected to train at 20 miles to prepare for the 26-mile Boston Marathon route.

“Weekly, I’ve been doing between 25 to 32-ish miles,” Sakats said. “It not only scratches an itch to run again, but we all chat. It is exercising plus a great socialization time.”

A resident of Hopkinton for 10 years, Sakats thinks the most challenging aspect of training for the Boston Marathon is trying to balance motherhood, working and training.

Her goal is to have fun, she said.

“I want to enjoy the experience, so I remind myself, ‘This is supposed to be fun,’ ” she said.

Sakats said she is looking forward to the “cheering and support” runners receive from the crowd. She said her kids are excited to see Mom in action, and Sakats believes the lesson it will teach them is that “persistence and hard work pays off.”

She offered thanks to the HPTO and other supporters, noting HPTO parent Kristen Brown helped host a boot camp workout class while Linh DeCandia baked Valentine treat boxes. They donated all proceeds to her fundraising.

Sakats said other efforts included Super Bowl squares and a 50/50 raffle at the HPTO’s Wizards game fundraiser. She’s also accepting donation via the HPTO website (hptoonline.com).

“The cheering and support at the Boston Marathon is unrivaled,” Sakats added. “I’m excited.”