“We believe health is the starting point for everything we can accomplish in life. Our work is about helping people live the best life they can through good health…,” said Dessy Boneva, MD, a local Miami trauma surgeon who loves and supports running.
The message hit home for Dr. Boneva who most recently completed all six events in the World Marathon Majors Series sponsored by Abbott and became a six-star finisher.
She believes in the same values and through her work with her patients helps them live the best lives they can by restoring function.
“It’s essentially the same message and I am proud of Abbott being the sponsor and what it symbolizes. I support their mission through both running and my work,” Dr. Boneva said.
The six-star finisher medal is a major accomplishment for runners athletes and to date there only are a little over 2,000 six-star finishers in the entire world and even a smaller number of women (estimated just over 400).
Dr. Boneva is the first and only one to represent her native country of Bulgaria and one of small number of women from the U.S. to have received the medal. This is one of the most exclusive medals in running.
The World Marathon Majors is a series consisting of six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world: Tokyo Marathon, B.A.A. Boston Marathon, Virgin London Marathon, BMW Berlin Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon.
Every marathoner in the world wishes to run and participate in these six races and for good reason — these events are the pinnacle of the marathon tradition for the everyday runner and they set the standard which all other marathons must try to follow. These six events are the fixed stars on the marathon sky, and in six great cities as well.
In April Dr. Boneva ran the Boston marathon.
“They all said to me ‘Boston will change your life’ and that it did!”
Boston was like a dream run, Boneva said. She was one of a 100 women to do so as part of the Kathrine Switzer 261 Fearless team.
“Such a proud and unbelievable moment to be with her at the starting line… and then of course, the finish line,” Dr. Boneva said.
Just a few days after Boston, she flew to London where she ran the London Marathon and became a six-star finisher. That was her final medal to complete the series.
“I will never forget London with its royal and welcoming finish line during which time even England’s Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince Harry attended together the marathon for the first time, cheering and taking part by supporting charities and runners alike making a mark,” she said.
“I’m very excited and proud to have received the six-star medal and hope that it is an inspiration for many others. It means a lot to me,” Dr. Boneva said.
