Henry Richard ’25: Running Through Life

How Pace alumnus Henry Richard used marathon running as a way of overcoming tragedy, building community, and becoming the best version of himself.

Pace University Lubin School of Business alumnus Henry Richard ’25 has run nine marathons to date. Taken together, that’s around 236 miles—farther than the driving distance between his hometown of Boston and Pace’s New York City campus. And that’s not to mention the countless miles Henry has run in shorter races, in community open runs, or in the rigorous training regimens required to sustain his high level of athletic performance.

In the hundreds—perhaps thousands—of miles he has covered since he discovered his passion for running, Henry has learned a thing or two about resilience, about the inexhaustible power of the human will to persevere. But these were lessons that Henry first learned long before he laced up his runners for his marathon debut.

When, at just eleven years old, senseless tragedy struck his family, Henry learned firsthand how moments of unimaginable sorrow can inspire new forces of positivity and compassion that change people’s lives.

No More Hurting People, Peace

In April 2013, Henry’s little brother, eight-year-old Martin, was one of three people tragically killed during the Boston Marathon bombing. Martin was precocious, athletic, and talented—a standout student with a wide circle of friends and a dream of becoming the next great Boston professional athlete. He was the pride of his teachers and coaches and the joy of his family. “And he was always the kindest one in the room,” Henry said. “That’s how his legacy will be remembered.”

Image

In the weeks after the bombing, an old photo surfaced of Martin holding a handmade sign he’d created for his classroom’s participation in a peace march on the Boston Common. Martin’s sign bore a simple but profound message: “No More Hurting People, Peace.” The photo spread quickly across the internet and news media. For a community and a nation grieving the devastating tragedy of the bombing, the image of Martin’s smiling face—and the powerful message emblazoned on his sign—became a symbol of compassion in the face of violence, of hope in the face of despair.

Martin may have been gone, but his message of peace inspired millions of people around the world. “No More Hurting People, Peace” became an indelible maxim of healing and grace. Soon, his parents recognized that there was a unique opportunity to memorialize their son’s legacy while continuing to spread positivity through his enduring spirit of kindness.

In early 2014, Martin and Henry’s parents established the Martin Richard Foundation, a mission-centered philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing the values of sportsmanship, inclusion, kindness, and peace through investment in programs that encourage young people to celebrate diversity and engage as community leaders. In the years since its founding, the Foundation has honored Martin’s legacy through more than ten million dollars in support to local organizations across more than 250 communities, including the development of innovative and inclusive sports programs for young people with disabilities, the creation of Martin’s Park in Boston’s Seaport District, and the naming of the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice at Bridgewater State University.

Today, Henry takes immense pride in the way his parents, his family, and his community came together to build a movement of positivity and peace in his little brother’s name.

“I’m really proud of them,” he said. “I’m grateful to my parents for being so strong, for being the rock for my sister and me after Martin passed away. When the idea for the foundation was born, they wanted to turn something tragic into something that could be inspiring and beneficial to the world and that could keep Martin’s memory and legacy alive. We were part of such a loving community, a big family of people in Boston who were there to support each other. That will always mean a great deal to me.”

Resilience Through Running

Image

At the heart of the Foundation’s work was Team MR8, a global team of runners, spanning 175 towns and cities across 12 countries, who participated in marathons and other athletic events in Martin’s honor. Every year, Henry and his community would support the Team MR8 runners as they trained for their races. And every year, Henry would attend the Boston Marathon to cheer the runners on and to celebrate the culmination of their commitment, their effort, and their belief in the power of Martin’s message.

For Henry, the Boston Marathon was more than just a race. It represented community, fortitude, the extraordinary things that can be achieved when adversity is met with positivity and a clarity of purpose.

“The Boston Marathon was always a symbol of strength and resilience for me,” he said. “Growing up, I felt that, one day, I needed to be one of those people who put in the work and completed it. It was always an important goal. I remember always telling myself, ‘I’ll be back. I’ll be back. I’m going to beat this thing.’”

During his freshman year at Pace, Henry made good on that promise. He committed to running his first-ever marathon back in his hometown: the Boston Marathon, the race that had always meant the most to him. And thanks to a support system that encouraged him every step of the way, he successfully completed the race, running in honor of his brother and fulfilling a goal he had fostered since his days cheering on older runners from the sidelines.

After that first race, he was hooked.

Eight marathons later, running has become an essential part of Henry’s life, a core part of his daily routine. It always gives him a challenge, he said. Something to work for. A constant source of inspiration to improve, to better himself, to “keep going and keep running through life.”

As a student at Pace, he brought those same principles of discipline and personal improvement to his campus community, working with classmates and friends to found Soul-Fighter, a fitness-focused student club that uses boxing training methods to promote physical, mental, and emotional wellness. Soul-Fighter has remained active even after Henry and his fellow founders’ graduation, continuing to bring Pace students together to forge community and build healthy habits.

Image

Today, the drive to improve and excel continues to motivate Henry—in his running and in his life.

“I’m very privileged to be able to run these races for a variety of incredible organizations, including my family’s,” Henry said. “I enjoy the challenge. Whether it’s a marathon, a half-marathon, or anything in life, it’s about signing on the dotted line and showing up. It’s about getting up on the days you don’t want to get up. It’s about taking risks, diving into the deep end and trusting that you’ll figure it out.”

A New Challenge, A New Chance to Reflect

In April 2026, Henry will once again count himself among the runners of the Boston Marathon. It will mark his tenth marathon, back where it all began, back where he learned the lessons of resilience and positivity that have shaped his life.

Each new race means a new season of intensive training, and his tenth race is no different. In the past months, Henry has carved out precious time around his job as an underwriting assistant at eMaxx Assurance Group to prepare for the unique physical and psychological challenges that only a marathon can present. It’s all part of the process, and it’s in the daily grind where Henry finds his purpose.

But it’s more than just the training. Each new race also provides an opportunity for contemplation: a chance to trace the journey; to reflect on the great sweep of progress made, challenges overcome; to practice gratitude for the people who made it all possible.

For Henry, this is just as important as the 6:00 a.m. workouts.

“I’m so incredibly grateful for the continuous support I’ve received,” he said. “It shaped me into the man I am today, and it inspires me to keep doing hard things, knowing that, if I fall, I have plenty of people who will be there to yank me back up. I’ve had so many good friends, an amazing family, amazing coaches and professors, great role models. The people you surround yourself with are always the most important thing, and I’m incredibly grateful for the people in my life.”