Minnesota Runners Gear Up for Boston Marathon Together

Moses Cooper and Mark Hulsey will cross the finish line as a team at the 2026 Boston Marathon.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:23pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting runners, spectators, and the Boston Marathon finish line in an abstract, fragmented style.The partnership between two Minnesota runners competing in the Boston Marathon together represents the joy and determination that can come from inclusive sports programs.Boston Today

Two Minnesota athletes, Moses Cooper and Mark Hulsey, will be competing in the 2026 Boston Marathon. Cooper, who has cerebral palsy, met his running partner Hulsey through the organization My Team Triumph Minnesota two years ago, and the two have been training and racing together ever since. They qualified for the Boston Marathon by finishing Grandma's Marathon in Duluth last summer 32 minutes ahead of the required time.

Why it matters

The partnership between Cooper and Hulsey highlights the power of inclusive sports programs like My Team Triumph that help athletes with disabilities pursue their athletic passions. Their journey to the Boston Marathon also showcases the determination and joy that can come from overcoming challenges through teamwork and community support.

The details

Cooper, known as 'Mo' to his friends, has cerebral palsy but is determined to race as fast as his hero 'Flash.' He and Hulsey first connected through My Team Triumph Minnesota two years ago, and have been training and racing together ever since. Their first major goal was to qualify for the Boston Marathon by finishing Grandma's Marathon in Duluth last summer in under 3 hours and 50 minutes - they ended up crossing the finish line 32 minutes ahead of that time.

  • Two years ago, Cooper met his running partner Hulsey through My Team Triumph Minnesota.
  • Last summer, Cooper and Hulsey qualified for the 2026 Boston Marathon by finishing Grandma's Marathon in Duluth ahead of the required time.
  • The 2026 Boston Marathon will take place on Monday.

The players

Moses Cooper

Also known as 'Mo,' Cooper has cerebral palsy but is determined to race as fast as his hero 'Flash.'

Mark Hulsey

Cooper's running partner who he connected with through My Team Triumph Minnesota two years ago.

My Team Triumph Minnesota

An organization that helps connect athletes with disabilities to volunteer running partners.

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What they’re saying

“To be able to be with Mo, care for Mo, look out for Mo, bring him this opportunity, share all of this with him, it's as good as it gets.”

— Mark Hulsey, Running Partner

“I think I run like Flash.”

— Moses Cooper

“We know that he loves Flash, so we went above and beyond. Took what Mo likes and turned it into something cool, so we could send him off in style.”

— Kristine Orubo, Program Director, Merrick

“He's got so much joy and most people who have endured what he has in his life would not have that, so he's taught me, he's made me a better person.”

— Moses Cooper's Mother

What’s next

Cooper and Hulsey will be racing in the 2026 Boston Marathon on Monday.

The takeaway

The partnership between Cooper and Hulsey demonstrates the power of inclusive sports programs like My Team Triumph that help athletes with disabilities pursue their athletic passions. Their journey to the Boston Marathon showcases the determination and joy that can come from overcoming challenges through teamwork and community support.