Hoboken woman runs Boston Marathon for human rights and social justice

By Summer Dawn Hortillosa/The Jersey Journal

Hoboken resident Cheska Barneveld took on 26.22 miles of hilly terrain and New England weather yesterday as she raced for human rights and social justice in the Boston Marathon.

Barneveld, who has only been running for two years, raised money for the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, an organization based in Cambridge, Mass., that has been confronting political, cultural and economic oppression throughout the world since 1940.

The 33-year-old, who finished in 4 hours, 43 minutes and 16 seconds yesterday, has seen oppression firsthand while growing up in and traveling to different parts of the world.

Born to a Peruvian and Dutch father, the lifelong athlete has been all over the globe, from the Caribbean islands to Scotland to Trinidad and Tobago.

"My parents always taught me that everybody should be equal no matter where you come from. I was somewhat privileged, but not everyone around me was," said Barneveld.

She added that living in Hoboken for the past nine years and managing a steakhouse in New York City has helped enforce her belief in equality.

"You see so much when you walk down the street, you see different classes walking together," she said, adding that she is inspired by seeing people from very different backgrounds interacting peacefully every day.

"No matter what class you are, you always deserve respect," she said.

Barneveld, who had doubted she'd be able to time qualify for the Boston Marathon, has run three of the five "master marathons" so far — New York City, Chicago and London. Yesterday, she was the 21,542nd finisher and 8,902nd among women.

She raised a total of $25,000 for charity through her runs.

The Hobokenite also hopes to inspire others.

"It's doable, it's achievable," said Barneveld, who ran up to 18 miles every weekend in preparation for the race.

"If anyone wants to do it, they can. They just have to put in the time and dedication."

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