For Dr. Whitney Peters, a Boston-based psychiatrist, life has always been about moving forward. Growing up as an active middle child in Evansville, Indiana, her early years were a blur of ballet, soccer, swimming, and cross country running.
She discovered her love for distance running at college in Atlanta, and she’s kept a steady pace ever since, sneaking in half-marathons and 10Ks right up until the birth of her daughter. But it wasn’t until she landed in Boston for her residency that she found the city, the community, and ultimately, the cause that would define her biggest race yet.
Falling for Boston
Whitney’s connection to Boston was forged during a historic and emotional time. Her first year in the city was the 2013 Boston Marathon. As a hospital worker, she saw the tragedy, but more importantly, she witnessed the incredible, unshakeable resilience that followed. Seeing the city rally together made her incredibly proud to call Boston her new home.
From that point on, running the Boston Marathon became a life goal, so she could actively participate in that enduring city spirit. And when she isn’t hitting the pavement, she’s soaking up everything else Boston has to offer, from the music and dance scenes to peaceful afternoons exploring the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
Turning Loss into Action
The spark that finally pushed Whitney to tackle the 26.2 miles came from a deeply personal place. Last year, she lost her father to melanoma.
Shortly after his passing, Marathon Monday arrived. As she stood on the sidelines watching the runners with her young daughter, everything clicked. She was going to run Boston for her father. She dove headfirst into training and sought out a melanoma charity, which led her straight to Team IMPACT.
For Whitney, the motivation is clear: melanoma is preventable. Instead of dwelling on the “what ifs,” she is using her miles to raise loud, positive awareness, hoping to educate others so they never have to experience a similar loss.
A Soundtrack for the Miles
Whitney’s father is with her for every single training run, right there in her earbuds. To keep him close, she powers through her miles with his favorite music, putting ZZ Top and James Brown on heavy rotation. When she needs a modern, upbeat push to keep her pace, she switches over to the high-energy electronic mixes of The Magician’s Magic Tapes.
Her incredible energy is proving contagious. Inspired by Whitney’s dedication, her older sister has joined the cause and will be running for IMPACT Melanoma in Dublin, Ireland in October! Whitney also has her sights set on the Berlin Marathon in the future as a fitting tribute to her dad, who was a massive World War II history buff.
Sunscreen and Silver Linings
Whitney’s message to the world is as bright as her outlook: wear your sunscreen, put on your hats, grab your sunglasses, and get your skin checked.
She is fiercely proud of her morning sunscreen ritual and she’s thrilled to see the message taking root in the next generation. Just recently, as they were heading out the door, her daughter stopped her in her tracks to make sure they hadn’t forgotten to put on their sunscreen!
Now, every upbeat stride Whitney takes toward that Boylston Street finish line is a step toward a world where melanoma is a thing of the past.
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