She’s running to support trauma survivors

Boston Marathon

Irena King is running the Boston Marathon for the Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation.

In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon athletes share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston. Looking for more race day content? Sign up for Boston.com’s pop-up Boston Marathon newsletter.

Name: Irena King
Age: 26
City/State: Charlestown, Mass.

Overcoming a traumatic accident is one thing—living with the long-term consequences, both physical and emotional, is another. I know this firsthand.

My mom survived a near-fatal car crash at 16, just before she immigrated to the U.S. from Kazakhstan. The injuries left her with chronic health issues and partial blindness. So many doctors told her, “There’s nothing we can do.” Growing up, I watched her navigate life with incredible resilience – and deep frustration.

Years later, I faced my own battle. I fell off a horse during a jumping competition in my teens, and what followed was nearly a decade of back pain, hip issues, and migraines. My symptoms were often brushed off. Doctors told me it was probably hormones. It wasn’t until I finally got spinal X-rays that the real cause came to light. With physical therapy and chiropractic care, the healing finally began.

Those experiences sparked a lifelong mission in me. Now, at 26, I’m running the Boston Marathon to support the Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation. They help trauma survivors receive advanced, integrated care, and they also focus on injury prevention through research and outreach.

My connection to Stepping Strong began through my startup, Surgicure Technologies, which I launched as an undergrad after learning that life-saving breathing tubes were often secured with flimsy tape. My solution? A patented device that offers a safer, more reliable alternative.

Today, I’m based in Boston and recently completed my PhD in medical engineering and physics through a joint program at MIT and Harvard.

Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.