At sunrise on Monday, April 21, there weren’t many people on Heartbreak Hill, the landmark at Mile 20 of the Boston Marathon route. Yet those of us who were there on the chilly spring morning had a lot of enthusiasm. Staff and volunteers with the Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. (AKF USA) were there to cheer on our three runners in the Boston Marathon, who have spent the past five months training for the 26.2 mile race and raising funding to help end global poverty.

AKF USA was honored to be a John Hancock partner charity for the 2014 Boston Marathon. Just as our Foundation works to end poverty and strengthen the fabric of civil society, this year’s marathon had a special mission of healing that resonated for us. The Foundation works for the common good of all citizens, regardless of their gender, origin or religion in some of the world’s most remote and impoverished communities. For the AKF Run Team, running alongside 36,000 others was a chance to embody that commitment. The three members of the AKF Run Team – Amira Valliani, Richard Prevost, and Sulfyna Murji – had been preparing for that morning for five months. View each team member’s video here.

This was our first year doing something like this and it is fair to say the experience was remarkable. Our inaugural AKF Run Team not only finished the race successfully, but far surpassed their goal and raised more than $61,000 for our programs in Africa and Asia that help communities and families overcome poverty. Our runners’ determination was truly inspiring, renewing our sense of mission every day.

Sulfyna set herself the amazingly ambitious goal of raising $1,000 for every mile of the race. By Marathon day she had raised more than $27,700. She ranked among the Top 20 Fundraisers for the marathon. Sulfyna explained, “It was a huge accomplishment as a team to raise over $61,000 for Aga Khan Foundation. During those times when it is rough to keep on going, it gives me a lot of motivation knowing that ALL the money raised is going to amazing programs.”

Delighted with the opportunity that the Boston Marathon had on raising awareness about AKF, Amira Valliani revealed, “Almost as good or even better than the amount of money we raised is how many people we got to tell about the Aga Khan Foundation. Some of my friends and associates never heard about it before and now they are aware of what AKF does. It was exciting to have been part of a team that helped make that possible.”

We were struck by the atmosphere of unity and solidarity all along the route. By the time Richard, Amira and Sulfyna passed the AKF USA tent and made their way to the finish line, we had cheered on the marathoners until we were hoarse. We had tremendous support from a small, yet dedicated core of Bostonian volunteers. At sunrise, they joined us at the AKF USA tent on Heartbreak Hill. Throughout the Marathon weekend they helped spread the word about AKF at the Expo where thousands were introduced to the impact of our work in Asia and Africa. The volunteers’ energy, enthusiasm and passion to learn more about AKF USA was contagious. Everyone had a smile on their face the entire weekend.

The success of Marathon Day underscored the renewed spirit of Boston Strong. That spirit emanates out of Boston, across the country and around the world. As an international organization committed to the universal principles of pluralism, compassion and respect for human dignity, we came away reinvigorated that improving the quality of life for all is within our grasp.

By Emily Stanton, Communications Associate and Martha Sipple, Communications Manager at the Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A.