Help Rob raise money

On Saturday, May 30, 2026, a group of us who loved Benjamin Coalter Crawford (1970–2016) will be running the Fenway Park Marathon in honor of Ben’s life and the joy he brought to so many people. 

To celebrate the ways that Ben's idealism, devotion to his family and friends, passion for justice, empathy, and optimism continue to inspire and connect so many people ten years after his passing – and to make an impact Ben would have been proud of – we invite you to join our team by making a donation, in Ben's memory, to benefit The Red Sox Foundation and The Finish Strong Foundation.

“Ben Crawford Strong” – a relay team running 112 loops (26.2 miles) around the perimeter of Fenway's legendary field – currently includes Ben’s three children, Ava (flying in from Colombia), Harry and Macy (both rushing to Boston after final exams at Virginia Tech); Ben’s nieces, Charlotte (driving down from Bowdoin College) and Sarah (Ubering in from Milton); Ben’s nephew, Robert (driving up from Providence); and Ben’s brother, Rob (taking the T). 

We know that if Ben were still here, he would have been the first person to sign up for this race! Fenway Park was one of Ben's favorite places on the planet (second only to "home" with his wife, Stephanie, and their kids), and training for and running marathons with his brother Henry was a major part of Ben's life until 2013, when glioblastoma forced him to stop running. Ben also would have been especially motivated to support The Red Sox Foundation (RSF) and The Finish Strong Foundation (FSF), because several of their funding priorities were deeply meaningful to him. For example:

* Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where Ben’s initial surgery and three years of treatment took place, is a major grantee of RSF. Whenever Ben spoke about Dana-Farber and the people who worked there, his gratitude was palpable.

* Creating fun, meaningful little league baseball and softball experiences for the many boys and girls who called him “Coach” – including his own children – brought Ben enormous joy. He would have been a big supporter of RSF's commitment to providing thousands of Boston kids with everything they need to experience the joy of being part of a baseball or softball team, and of FSF's youth programs focused on fitness, reading, goal-setting, and citizenship.

* After college, Ben’s first job was with City Year – first in Boston, then in San Antonio – where he strengthened these communities in several ways, including helping young people develop skills to succeed in both school and life. This important work aligns with RSF’s and FSF's commitment to organizations focused on education, mental health, and youth empowerment.

Thank you for supporting “Ben Crawford Strong” and honoring Ben's remarkable spirit in a way that reflects the generosity, energy, love, and compassion that defined his life. Every donation – large or small – extends the positive impact Ben made in the world!