Marathon Runners from Berklee Community Share Motivational Music
Boston Conservatory at Berklee students cheer on staff accompanist Yukiko Oba during the 2017 Boston Marathon.
Image courtesy of Yukiko Oba
Megan Griffith prepares for a run leading up to the 2018 Boston Marathon.
Image courtesy of Megan Griffith
Matt Iorlano celebrates after completing the 2014 BAA Half Marathon.
Image courtesy of Matt Iorlano
Benai Kornell races in the 2017 Charles River Marathon.
Image courtesy of Benai Kornell
This Marathon Monday, four members of the Berklee community—three staff members and one student—will run the 122nd Boston Marathon, which winds through Berklee's Back Bay campus. They share some of the songs that will motivate them through 26.2 miles.
Megan Griffith
Student, Berklee College of Music
Megan Griffith is a music therapy student in her last semester at Berklee. She will be running her first marathon, for Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s charity team Stepping Strong for Trauma Innovation and Research. “Broken Arrows” by Avicii is one of Griffith’s motivational songs. “[It]…reminds me of what I am running for, which is trauma victims and research.” She also loves “Show Me Love” by Hundred Waters because “it makes me want to finish strong and with purpose!”
Matt Iorlano
Quality Assurance Specialist, Berklee Online
Matt Iorlano, who is running his first marathon, will be raising money for Boston Children’s Hospital as a part of its Miles for Miracles team. His favorite running tunes include “Lost in the Echo” by Linkin Park because “I love to channel darker points in my life and use them to propel me forward,” and “Gonna Fly Now (theme from Rocky)” by Bill Conti. “I’ve been a huge Rocky fan since I saw Rocky IV in the theater as a kid,” he said.
Benai Kornell
Administrative Assistant, Library and Learning Resources
Benai Kornell qualified for the Boston Marathon this year, making this her third Boston Marathon and 11th marathon overall. Kornell loves to run to pop and dance songs because “the fast beat encourages me to run at a quick tempo, and positive lyrics keep me upbeat…over long miles.” Her marathon playlist includes “Wings” by Little Mix and “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon.
Yukiko Oba
Staff Accompanist, Boston Conservatory at Berklee
Yukiko Oba will be running in her 13th marathon this Monday. While running the 2017 Boston Marathon, she was thrilled to see Boston Conservatory at Berklee students cheering her on with signs and encouraging words as she raced toward the finish line. True to her Conservatory roots, her favorite running music includes “classical music…I like listening to symphonies by Mahler or operas.”