As a volunteer at South Shore Hospital, Anne Marie Winchester of Duxbury knows a thing or two about devoting her time to others. On April 16, she will run 26.2 miles in the Boston Marathon as a member of the hospital’s first charity-driven team. Each step of the way will be in memory of her dear friend, Kathy Frank, who lost her battle to cancer last year. We recently spoke with Anne Marie about volunteering, her marathon training and her experience as part of the South Shore Hospital team Why did you begin volunteering at South Shore Hospital?

My father has been involved with the hospital for several years and has always enjoyed it so much. He’s had so many fantastic things to say about the hospital and the people who both work and volunteer there.

What is your favorite part about being a volunteer at South Shore Hospital?

Working with and meeting the employees and other volunteers.  People are always so appreciative of volunteers and it makes you feel like you really are making a difference.

What does it mean to you to be a member of the first South Shore Hospital Boston Marathon team?

I’m thrilled to have been chosen for the first year team.  I think that the money raised through the marathon will be another way for the community to support the hospital and all of the services it provides.

Where will your fundraising efforts be directed?

I’m running for Cancer Care in memory of Kathy Frank.  Kathy was a close family friend who lost her battle with ovarian cancer last April at the age of 44.  She was also a nurse at South Shore Hospital.  Kathy, as well as other friends who have fought, or are currently fighting this horrible disease, are the people I will be thinking of during those challenging times on marathon day – running a marathon hurts but it’s not anything compared to the battle a cancer patient has.

What are the other team members raising money for?

Some of the members are also running for cancer care.  Others are running for pediatrics, cardiovascular care and palliative care/hospice.

How many members are on the team? Have most run marathons before?

There are a total of 10 members on the team and about half have run marathons before. 

Have you always been a runner?

No, I didn’t start running until I was in my mid-30’s. 

How important is running to your health and fitness routine?

It’s my primary form of exercise, so it’s very important to me.

How many marathons have you run?

I’ve run one ultra-marathon that was 50 miles and Boston this year will be my eighth full marathon.

How would you describe a marathon to someone who has never run one?

There really isn’t any way to describe it. It’s a different experience for anyone that has ever tried it and is as much of a mental challenge as a physical one. I’ve never run a marathon where at some point I didn’t want to just quit. You have to talk your way through it and tell yourself you can finish. The crowd and the other runners are also very helpful and encouraging to get you there.

What has it been like training as part of a team?

I love it.  I’ve met some fantastic people with very interesting stories of why they are running.  I think we’ve all helped each other stay motivated.  It’s difficult to go out and run 18 plus miles on your own, so it’s been nice to always have people to go with.

Does it make a difference during training runs knowing that you are running this marathon for charity?

Absolutely. The charity component motivates me to get the training done much more than if I’m running for just myself.

Have you been training in and around Duxbury?

I’ve done some training in Duxbury, but training with a team has given me the chance to get out and run in some different areas, which is always nice.

Where are your favorite spots to run?

Anywhere there isn’t a lot of traffic.  When I do long runs around here I usually run towards the Union Street and Keene Street areas. 

Where can we find you when you’re not running?

I don’t have much trouble finding ways to keep my non-running hours occupied. I’m married and have 2 teenage boys who play football and baseball. I’m a real estate agent at Coldwell Banker in Duxbury and I own a road race management company.

Where is your favorite spot in Duxbury?

I love to be at home.

What will it feel like to cross the finish line on Boylston Street?

I always look forward to marathon day.  Training is hard and exhausting so at this point, when the mileage is winding down, I look forward to the day because I know I’ve given it my best effort. I know when I cross the finish line I’ll have the same thought as always – “I can’t believe I just ran 26.2 miles.”

To donate to Anne Marie or the South Shore Hospital team, please visit: crowdrise.com/TeamSouthShoreHospital/fundraiser/AnnemarieWinchester.