The Friends of the Public Garden is proud to announce the first-ever Team Friends of the Public Garden, a team of athletes who will be running in the Boston Marathon on Patriots Day, Monday, April 15, 2013.

Team Friends members include Allison Byrne, Laura Jennings, Brian Ladley and Lori Shoemaker. The Friends of the Public Garden is part of the John Hancock 2013 Non-Profit Marathon Program and was granted four marathon entries to use for fundraising purposes.

These four athletes have committed to raising a total of $25,500 to support the mission of the Friends to preserve, protect and enhance the Boston Common, the Public Garden and the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, in partnership with the City of Boston.

“We are so pleased to have the support of these four wonderful athletes and we wish them all the best on race day!” said Elizabeth Vizza, executive director of the Friends of the Public Garden.

Brian Ladley, who lives in Beacon Hill, will be running his fifth marathon, but this will be his first Boston Marathon. "I've been overwhelmed by the park stories people have shared during my fundraising, from wedding engagements in the Garden to sledding with grandchildren in the Common. I'm happy to be running for a cause that means so much for so many," said Ladley.

Allison Byrne, who lives in downtown Boston, and is a seasoned tri-athlete, golfer and tennis player, will be running her first marathon. “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to run on behalf of the Friends of the Public Garden. This is the first time I have run a marathon and am doing so to honor my sister, Karina, and my dog, Murphy, who both recently passed away much too early in life. The Commonwealth Avenue Mall tree lights were one of the last beautiful sites I was able to share with my sister, and Murphy's most favorite activity each day was to walk to the Boston Common eagerly scanning the park for a familiar wagging tail or two to play with. I am running for the Friends because these parks deeply enriched their lives and mine as well,” said Byrne.

The community is invited to help the team reach their fundraising goal by donating in support of a specific runner or the entire team. To read more about the athletes or to make a donation of any size in support of Team Friends visit www.friendsofthepublicgarden.org and click on the link on the home page.