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Community Corner

Swampscott's Alex Shopov, magician, environmental enthusiast, runs Marathon this year for New England Aquarium

Alex Shopov of Swampscott has a long list of unique accomplishments from winning an Emmy Award for special effects to being a versatile New England Aquarium volunteer, magician, and illustrator to earning a master’s degree in environmental management.  Next, he hopes to add Boston Marathon runner to the list.

“This is my first Boston Marathon,” said Shopov, 36, who grew up in Western New York and has been living in Swampscott for 11 years. “I may not be a native, but I’ve lived here long enough that Boston is home now. Running in what promises to be an historic marathon, representing the New England Aquarium of which I’ve been part of for almost three years, is an honor that I can’t adequately find the words to describe.”

Shopov is part of the New England Aquarium’s Boston Marathon team, consisting of 25 runners who are each raising $5,000 to support the Aquarium’s community outreach programs. The program brings tide pools and aquatic creatures to 45,000 children a year in schools, day cares, community centers, YMCAs, Boys and Girls clubs, and various other programs around Greater Boston. The Aquarium is an official charity of the 118th Boston Marathon. To sponsor Shopov or to read his training blog entries, visit https://secure2.convio.net/neaq/site/Donation2?idb=0&df_id=3301&3301.donation=landing.

Running his first marathon on April 21 may be daunting enough but the cold, snowy winter months of training presents its own challenges. “Sometimes I just deal with it and run along the shore from Swampscott to Nahant, but when it gets too cold, I put my miles in on a treadmill at the gym. Given the choice, I’ll run outside any day,” Shopov said.

His connection to the oceans motivates him as well. “I love the oceans, an affair that began at an early age,” he said. “I’ve worked in oceanographic research, embraced my inner fish with a SCUBA tank on my back, and advocated on behalf of marine life around the world. The New England Aquarium has given me the opportunity to be a direct part of the protection of the blue planet, as well as the pleasure of sharing the wonders of life with the guests who walk through our door.”

“Everything is interconnected, and we must work together to ensure that the oceans stay healthy, not just for us but for those who will follow in our footsteps long after we’re gone,” Shopov said.

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