Chelmsford native Sean Marden training for return run in Boston Marathon with Aquarium’s team this year

Sean Marden, 24, ran in last year’s Boston Marathon when bombs exploded at the finish line. He was not injured and is not deterred about going back on April 21. He’s training now to run with the New England Aquarium where he works as a diver in the Giant Ocean Tank.

“Running the Boston Marathon last year I experienced both the highest and lowest points of my running career,” said Marden, 24, a Chelmsford native who now lives in Brookline. “Running for me has always been about overcoming both physical and emotional obstacles and coming together with fellow runners. I am very grateful that I have been given this opportunity and am looking forward to being a part of Boston's healing process.”

Marden is one of 25 runners on the Aquarium team raising money for its community outreach programs which bring tide pools and aquatic animals to 47,000 children in Greater Boston area day cares, schools, YMCAs, Boys and Girls clubs, and other centers. Team members are each raising $5,000. The Aquarium is an official charity in the 118th Boston Marathon. To sponsor Marden, click on: https://secure2.convio.net/neaq/site/Donation2?idb=0&df_id=3382&3382.donation=landing

This will be Marden’s sixth marathon in the last three years, and he is pleased to be running for the Aquarium this year. “At every race, I have witnessed ordinary people who overcome tremendous challenges,” he said. “Running long distances reminds us that through dedication and persistence it is possible to achieve seemingly unattainable goals. When I reflect on all of the tremendous challenges facing our oceans, I am optimistic that we can achieve the goal of making positive changes by investing long-term in our future.”

As an Aquarium aquarist, Marden scuba dives in the Giant Ocean Tank to feed and care for the 2,000 marine animals that live there. He is also an avid outdoorsman who enjoys rock climbing, slacklining, hiking, and backpacking. 

Training in all the snow and cold has been challenging, but Marden has a surprising twist to his regimen: To run without socks. “A trick I have to keep my feet from freezing is to do some quick running in place or jumping jacks while I am inside prior to going out in the cold,” he said. “Doing this gets my feet really warm and then they retain that heat on my run. It sounds a little crazy but it works pretty well for me.”