Marblehead High girls track coach Mike Toomey has many colorful accolades to his name.
He is a four-time Northeastern Conference Coach of the Year, Salem News Coach of the Year in 2010, and is a member of the UMass Lowell Hall of Fame.
In addition to coaching, Toomey owns Toomey Sports Running Center, a private coaching business, which helps individuals reach their running and fitness goals. He also designed a running program that provides guidance and inspiration to pre-collegiate and collegiate athletes.
With a full schedule on his hands, Toomey has found time to give back to his running community. On April 18 Toomey will be running in the Boston Marathon to raise money for a local autism non-profit organization called For Jake's Sake, Inc.
For Jake's Sake, Inc. provides funds to families who can't afford therapies for their autistic children.
Dawn Cobak, founded the charity back in 2008. Her son Jake, who is 7-years-old, was diagnosed with autism at 20 months.
Cobak and Toomey met at a local running club this past summer, where Toomey was introduced to Jake.
"Jake is a pleasure," said Toomey. "He is an engaging, intelligent little boy."
Toomey has been training for the marathon despite the snow covered roads and cold temperatures.
"Marblehead and Nahant are actually ideal places to run in these conditions because they offer light traffic and lots of hills," said Toomey. "I do a lot of my training on my own, but manage to jump in with the girls at Marblehead once in a while."
He averages about 60 miles per week.
Toomey calls himself more of track guy, but hopes to get in at least one run over 20 miles before the marathon. "If I can do that, I should be all set," said Toomey.
Toomey will be sporting a special shirt made by Cobak. The t-shirt has For Jake's Sake logo on the back. Cobak will also be running in the marathon alongside Toomey as Jake will be there to cheer them both on.
"Running has given so much to me," said Toomey. "For me to be able to do this and give back is really special."
The cost of therapies for patients with autism could cost up to $4,000 per week. Toomey and For Jake's Sake believe that no child should be denied therapy due to inability to pay.
"With autism affecting one in 84 boys in the US, there are many families out there in need," said Toomey. "So I am more than happy to do anything I can to help them. I'm so excited to be running for them and I'm hoping to raise a lot of money, all of it goes to families that need it."
To donate go to http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/mike-toomey/miketoomey. For more information about For Jake's Sake visit www.forjakesake.org.
