April 20, 2015 was a cold, rainy day, soaking the 30,000 runners in the 119th Boston Marathon. Yet the bone-chilling weather did not dampen the spirits of the three marathon runners on the AKF Run Team. The AKF Run Team members persevered with enthusiasm, just as they did with their fundraising and training during a winter of record-breaking snow and freezing temperatures.

They raced in the Boston Marathon to help end global poverty and support the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), a John Hancock partner charity for a second year in a row. The John Hancock program opens doors to many great causes doing important work. AKF is proud to be one of two international organizations selected. Inspired by a belief in our shared humanity, the Foundation partners with communities in Asia and Africa to improve their quality of life.

All three runners demonstrated passion for creating meaningful change for others. The they found the experience of the marathon and fundraising for Aga Khan Foundation both challenging and transformational. Two of them are New Englanders, one hails from Kenya. Together Danielle Healy,Jessica Reynolds and Catherine Kabui surpassed their fundraising target of $15,000, raising nearly $19,000 collectively with all funds going directly to AKF projects in Africa and Asia. Learn more about each runner here.

Just as the Boston Marathon proved again a chance for the city to celebrate its united community, the AKF Run Team celebrated what unites communities stretching from Boston to East Africa and Asia.

“I cried when they put the medal on me at the finish line,” said Reynolds. “This was the most amazing experience of my life.” With the marathon, she had accomplished new, steep goals she had set for herself. (Read her pre-marathon blog.) “It made me a different person,” she said, adding that the hard part wasn’t the running, but becoming a capable fundraiser.

Danielle Healy, of Plymouth, MA, crossed the finish line with her best friend and roommate, whom she has known since seventh grade. “It was amazing!” she said later, adding she was still stunned by the experience. (Read her pre-marathon blog.) Running for Aga Khan Foundation, Healy said, felt more rewarding than previous races where she had run for herself. Waiting with other charity partner runners in the corrals at the start line, she was struck by being “surrounded by real-life people” who were dedicated to change.

She also felt supported by her family and friends even far from the race. This year supporters could track the progress of their marathon runner in real-time, receiving text messages from key milestones. Healy’s co-workers in the Emergency Room at the hospital in Plymouth followed her that way and announced her progress to cheers.

Catherine Kabui, originally from Kenya, knew the Foundation’s work in education and health there. Even though she had run the Boston Marathon last year, this year meant change for her too. For one thing, she was surprised to find, when she reached Heartbreak Hill at Mile 20, that she could keep on running. “I’ve gotten stronger!” she thought to herself.

She also thought a lot about the people who had donated to her campaign and were depending on her to finish. “The volunteers were very encouraging,” she said of the Foundation’s volunteer supporters across the country. “This introduced me to new friends.” (Read her pre-marathon blog.)

Nargis Solis, volunteer coach for the team and a two-time Iron Man competitor herself, was pleased with her trainees. “Everyone looked good,” she said at the end. “It was nice to see it all come together.”

Solis said the kind of shared strength the runners experienced continues even long after the race ends. “You can keep enjoying the marathon afterward,” she said.

You can also keep contributing: The runners still hope to reach $20,000 raised by the close of the donation period. Visit their Crowdrise page and show them they did a great job!

At the end of the day, when all had crossed the finish line, there was a deep feeling of satisfaction amid the aching muscles. To the AKF Run Team and all their supporters who make such a difference, we at the Foundation extend our deep thanks.

Check out the slideshow for more photos from the Boston Marathon!