Mission
Dreamfar is a mentor-supported distance running program serving greater Boston teens of diverse backgrounds and abilities, with the mission to help teens develop physical and mental wellness, community, and confidence to pursue their goals and dreams.
About Dreamfar
Dreamfar is New England’s first high school marathon training program. As we enter the 18th season the organization and our programs have evolved into a mentor‑supported distance running program serving Greater Boston teens of diverse backgrounds and abilities. The focus of the organization is to provide teens with access to an inclusive, no experience needed opportunity to pursue wellness through mentorship and distance running to help develop wellness, friendships, the ability to believe in themselves.
We focus on making wellness and sport accessible to all who are willing to take a risk on what’s possible by showing up. — including those excluded from traditional interscholastic sports, youth with diverse gender identities, diverse abilities, and from minority racial or socioeconomic backgrounds — and we remove barriers by providing the program at no cost.
The success of Dreamfar can be summed up in one word: Mentorship. Mentors connect with student mentees, keep them safe on the roads, help them set and adjust goals, and support them from their first run to their last mile. By running with the same group each week, mentors form meaningful relationships that can positively shape the outcome of a young person’s life.
As we enter our 18th consecutive season, we are slated to serve six Greater Boston area high schools and continue to adapt to meet the needs of our student mentees. These approaches include learning incremental goal setting and training approaches, guidance from specialists and professionals in the industry, inspiring speakers, celebrations and social events to deepen the connections teens have with one another, as well as playing an active role in the Boston running community.
What develops is nothing short of a transformational experience that most never quite understand until well after they cross the finish line. Our impact can be felt in the most tangible ways with continued outreach to attend alumni runs, take part in events as fundraisers for Dreamfar, even running the Boston Marathon on our behalf.
We like to think that Dreamfar never really ends, it just changes places. As a recent alumni wrote “thank you for passing on your passion for long distance running, it has changed my life!” but the truth is the kids change our lives for the better too!
Hear What our Student Mentees have to say
The impact of our program is communicated best in the words of our student mentees who share their stories at the conclusion of their season culminating run.