Medford Native Part of Zoo New England Marathon Team

Four-time Boston Marathon winner Bill Rodgers visited Franklin Park Zoo on Thursday, March 14 to meet with the Zoo New England Marathon Team. Bill is the team’s mentor and during his visit he shared tips and advice with runners Natalya Zahn of Cambridge, Joanne Pomeranz of Hollis, N.H. and Laura Richter of Medford.

Natalya, Joanne and Laura have committed to raising $5,000 each to support Zoo New England’s Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo. To learn more and to support the runners, visit http://www.zoonewengland.org/znemarathonteam.

“I am running for ZNE because the Zoos in Boston have worked incredibly hard with limited resources to care for animals, provide opportunities for early scientific education, and to make our zoos world-class,” said Richter. I believe that our Zoos offer so much to support our communities, and we need to give back so that these valuable institutions can continue to grow and thrive, so that generations to come can enjoy them, too.”

Richter’s favorite Zoo New England animal is Beau the giraffe (pictured below with Rodgers), having enjoyed the chances she’s had to meet him up close and feed him squash. She has always been passionate about animals, particularly after she became a golden retriever owner when she was eight years old.

Richter attended George Washington University for undergrad and University of Southern California and London School of Economics for her Masters. She has been Legislative Aid for State Rep. Jason Lewis for the past three years.

She grew up playing competitive soccer and switched to running when she was in college. Laura ran the Marine Corps Marathon in 2004 and is eager to beat her time and run the Boston Marathon here in her home town.

– Information and photos from Zoo New England