The beloved Boston Marathon golden retrievers, Spencer and Penny’s passing this February left a gaping hole in the hearts of many Bostonians. Spencer, the official Boston Marathon golden retriever, died after a long fight with liver cancer on February 17.
Sadly, just 8 days later, Spencer’s soulmate, Penny, also passed away, from suspected heartbreak. Penny’s owners later discovered metastases of hemangiosarcoma tumors to Penny’s liver.
The two dogs left a legacy in Boston Marathon history, with Spencer recognized worldwide for braving the horrendous winds and rain of the 2018 Boston Marathon to wave flags for the runners.
MA Golden Meetups- an organization dedicated to golden retriever meetups in Massachusetts, partnered with the Morris Animal Foundation, a fundraiser for the research and treatment of canine cancer to organize a new event known as “Golden Strong.”
The response to the event is overwhelmingly positive. Registration for the event is already at capacity with over 100 golden retrievers and owners signed up for the 1-mile walk from the Boston Common to the Boston Marathon finish line in Copley.
All the pups will sport banana colored “Golden Strong” bandanas in honor of Spencer and Penny’s lasting impact on the Boston Marathon community. Proceeds from Bandana purchases will be contributed to the Morris Animal Foundation and can be purchased online for $15 from the MA Golden Meetups website.
Find the golden retrievers meeting up at the Park St Station at the Boston Common, Boston, MA 02108
Sunday, April 16 at 10 AM