Mary returns to the 45th Hyannis Marathon Weekend Race Expo on Saturday February 28th to inspire runners with her incredible journey and signing her books. On Sunday she will be running the 10K to inspire runners with what’s possible despite all appearances to the contrary. December 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of when Mary first received the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome. She was told to prepare to spend the rest of her live in a wheelchair and expect an accelerated decline in functioning as she aged.
Mary had a joyful and delightful conversation with Jen Wilson on Episode 240 of her Healing Rebel podcast. The theme of their conversation was to accept a diagnosis but don’t accept the prognosis. Mary shared how her tagline is “Believe in possibilities!” as she did after she was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome and told to prepare to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair, expecting an accelerated decline in functioning as she aged. Be sure to subscribe to Jen’s podcast on your favorite podcast platform for guests who inspire and educate to help you believe in possibilities despite all appearances to the contrary.
It was an afternoon of connections, community and inspiring conversations at Marathon Sports Boston on December 11, 2025. It was bib pick-up for Bill Rodgers Somerville Jingle Bell Run, a race that Bill and his brother started out of their Cleveland Circle Running Store in 1977. Bill invited Mary to join him at the Meet and Greet and Book Signing to inspire others with her journey as a most unlikely runner. Mary captures the spirit of the afternoon and shares a part of her training log on the Road to Hyannis in her blog, “This Week in Training: The Greatest Sport!”
Mary loves the divine timing of when her conversation with Bill Burke on The Optimism Institute’s Blue Sky podcast was released on 5/28/2025. What a wonderful way to celebrate the 18th anniversary of when Mary took a leap of faith on 5/25/2007, leaving behind her award-winning social work career to heal her life after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome. Check out previous episodes of conversations that are entertaining, educational, inspiring, informative, empowering and filled with innovative ideas for navigating these challenging times.
“Mary McManus has never had it easy. As a kindergartner, she was a victim of polio just a short time before the vaccine was introduced. She also faced trauma in her home life but somehow managed to persevere and overcome these and still more obstacles throughout her life. Today, Mary is an inspiring author, poet, motivational speaker, and finisher of the Boston Marathon.”
The Blue Sky podcast is a podcast we need now more than ever. It’s a podcast meant to inspire people with an optimistic and hopeful vision for our world and our future. Be sure to subscribe and download on your favorite podcast platform. Here is the link to the Optimism Institute’s website. If you love it as much as Mary does, be sure to rate and leave a review.
This podcast can also be heard on Spotify or YouTube
Mary is honored and thrilled to have her book, ‘A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior’ included on Bill Rodgers website in his feature, “Billy’s Bookshelf – Recommended Reading for Every Runner.” Be sure to take a look around his website to be inspired by his stories and accomplishments. April of 2025 marked the 50th anniversary of Bill’s 1975 Boston Marathon win when he set a new American Record at 2:09:55.
Mary was thrilled to share her remarkable journey on the Proud to BU Podcast. One of Mary’s favorite quotes is from Steve Jobs, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.” In this riveting interview with Jeff Murphy, Director, Alumni Career Engagement, you’ll hear about how Boston University played a critical role in Mary’s life.
In this episode, hear how this devastating diagnosis inspired Mary to defy the odds and complete the unlikely goal of running the Boston Marathon, and how she has channeled her health struggles and personal trauma into a successful second career as a poet, author, and motivational speaker. Don’t miss the profile of Mary in Bostonia Magazine.
Please note: this episode includes a discussion of a family member’s suicide. If you are dealing with thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.”
Mary’s story was featured in the February 2024 issue of Bostonia Magazine, “Their Second Acts” story. Here is the link to the article.
In March 2023, Mary’s story was featured on Mike Reilly‘s Stories from the Finish Line Presented by CURAD Performance Series. Read the full story by following this link.
“The Takin A Walk Podcast Series is about cool people, telling their stories of life lessons, business advice and triumphs. It is also about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.
That is the story of Mary McManus on the latest episode of Takin A Walk.
Mary has known tremendous challenges during her life. From a family situation that ended in tragedy to her personal health challenges with polio the road has not been easy. At the age of five she contracted paralytic polio and at the age of 53 she was diagnosed with post-polio syndrome. She was told then to be prepared to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair.
Mary would not be brought down!
She took to writing poetry and used the pen as a divining rod for healing. Mary harnessed the power of mind/body connection through her writing and has been able to achieve amazing things in her journey of hope.
She has become a motivational force in the Boston community from achieving a goal of finishing the Boston Marathon in 2009 to continuing to share her story of resilience and hope as a speaker and an author.
I hope you can enjoy her uplifting spirit as much as I did on our walk at the Brookline Reservoir on this episode available here.” ~Buzz Knight July 11, 2022
Mary’s remarkable journey of transformation was featured in the Heal Documentary newsletter and under Healing Stories on their website.
Mary was the special guest speaker at the Hyannis Marathon Weekend in February of 2020 at the Pre-Race Pasta Dinner. It was an honor and a thrill for Mary to share the stage with running legend Bill Rodgers. Mary’s blog post, “Embrace the Possibilities” captures the magic of the event.
In September 2020, Mary was part of the Virtual Boston Marathon Expo speaking about her journey as a most unlikely runner as part of the Late Life Running-Whole Life Running Panel. Internationally renowned runner and running historian Roger Robinson moderated the panel with guests Gail Kislevitz, Jonathan Beverly and consecutive Boston Marathon record holder Ben Beach. They answered questions and offered insights about the benefits and joys that come with “even more miles.” You can watch the panel on YouTube by clicking the image above.
David R. Hamilton Ph.D.’s “Tenth Anniversary of How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body” features Mary’s journey of transformation harnessing the power of the mind/body connection to heal from the once devastating effects of paralytic polio and trauma. It’s available on Amazon.
“Polio Survivor and Brookline Resident Mary McManus has led a life of determination, running Boston, writing books and helping others along the way.” Mary’s life of being “scrappy and determined” was featured in the October 27th 2021 edition of the Brookline Tab. “Brookline Post-Pan (Not Quite): Mary McManus – A Life of Determination” by Susie Davidson paints a powerful portrait of Mary’s journey. Read the article by following this link.
Mary’s journey on the Road to the 2009 Boston Marathon in the wake of the devastating diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome was featured in the Brookline Tab in two articles; one in May of 2008 and one in April of 2009. Click on the above pictures to read the articles.