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On May 3 at the Lincoln Marathon in Nebraska, Boys Town Digital Strategist Jake Albanez set out to do something most people would never attempt. He planned to break the world record for the fastest full marathon ever run in a graduation cap and gown.
For Jake, the record was never the most important part.
The cap and gown represented something deeper to him. They stood for perseverance, growth, second chances, and new beginnings, which are the same values the kids at Boys Town work toward every day.
Jake trained for months with a clear goal in mind. He prepared to run a full marathon at a sub-8-minute pace and finish in under three hours and 29 minutes. He committed to doing it all while wearing a dress shirt, tie, slacks, a stole, a hood, and a graduation gown. Every early morning, every mile, and every training run carried purpose as he honored the legacy of Venerable Edward J. Flanagan, Boys Town founder.
Jake shared, “I wake up every morning feeling a tremendous amount of pressure to do right by the kids and by Father Flanagan. This is for them.”
The night before the race, everything was in place. His training was complete, his body was ready, and his focus was clear. After receiving a blessing from Boys Town’s National Director of Mission and Spirituality, Father Jeff Mollner, he went to bed less than a mile from the start line with a sense of purpose that went beyond performance.
When race day arrived, he carried that purpose with him.
He felt strong through the first 10 miles. Then, during mile 11, a lingering ankle injury worsened and quickly became impossible to ignore. What began as discomfort turned into sharp, persistent pain that would not ease with effort. By the halfway point, Jake made the difficult decision to stop.
Later, he learned the full extent of the injury. He had two torn ligaments and one torn tendon. He had unknowingly run nearly half a marathon on a severely injured ankle.
The disappointment was real and heavy.
At the same time, his perspective began to shift. Jake felt deep gratitude for everyone who supported him and encouraged him along the way. He also gained a new perspective on what the run truly meant and felt a stronger connection to the young people and families Boys Town serves.
When Jake reflected on the experience, he recognized that this setback closely mirrors the journeys many Boys Town youth face. There are moments when obstacles feel overwhelming, and when a second chance is needed to prove what is possible.
Jake is now focused on recovery. He has made it clear that this experience is not the end of his story. He intends to return even stronger.
Across Boys Town, his effort has already made an impact. His commitment to the mission reflects the same resilience we see in the youth we serve. Alongside his run, Jake is also raising funds and awareness for Boys Town, turning every mile into an opportunity to give back and support the work he is so passionate about. We will be cheering him on every step of the way when he is ready and healthy.