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By Dave McCulley/Bethel University
BOSTON, MA. – The 2026 Boston Marathon (130th edition) features notable celebrities and athletes, including Chelsea Clinton (making her debut), former Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara, “The Bachelor” star Matt James, and astronaut Suni Williams. Other participants include “Love Island USA” winner Bryan Arenales, running influencer Laura Green, and former NBA player Chris Herren.
Another runner making her Boston Marathon debut is a local celebrity around Bethel, McKenzie, and West Tennessee. Former Bethel Cross Country and Track standout Allie Chappell will be among more than 30,000 runners running in the most famed Marathon in the world.
Along with being a student athlete who was named to the Mid-South Conference All-Academic team each year, Allie served as Rowdy the Mascot during her years as a Wildcat. Allie was also named an NAIA Scholar Athlete.
Allie has run in several previous marathons around the nation but is looking forward to Monday’s race even more as she now lives in Beantown.
Even some of us Yankee fans will be pulling for her, but no one will be cheering her on as much as her Mother Christie and her Dad Brad Chappell who will be on the sidelines of the streets of Boston watching her compete. Brad is the former Director of Athletics at Bethel.
All of us in the Wildcat athletic department wish for one of the best ever athletes and great mascots (Rowdy) the very best. We are proud of you Allie (Rowdy).