FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The 2016 New England Patriots Charitable Foundation's Boston Marathon Team has been fundraising and training tirelessly over the past several months with the goal of overcoming the ultimate endurance test and crossing the historic finish line at Mile 26.2 on Boylston Street. 

This Patriots Day (Monday, April 18), 31 runners, including 10 Kraft Group employees, lifelong Patriots fans, first-time marathoners and avid runners will come together and make their way to the starting line of the 120th Boston Marathon. The team will begin the historic race on Main Street in Hopkinton at 11:15 a.m. with the goal of reaching the finish line on Boylston Street while wearing an official Patriots Boston Marathon Team jersey generously donated by Nike and All Sports Heroes in Lowell. 

Since its inception nine years ago, the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation's Boston Marathon teams have raised more than $1.4 million to support children and families throughout the region. For the sixth consecutive year, the funds raised will support the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards program, which awards grants to nonprofit organizations through nominations of deserving volunteers in the New England region in honor of the late Myra Kraft, who was a lifelong volunteer and community advocate.

"We are truly proud of this year's group of runners," said Josh Kraft, President of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation. "Training for a marathon is no easy task, but to fundraise on top of that is truly challenging. Our runners have proudly accepted that challenge and have been tremendous representatives of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation. The funds they have raised, and continue to raise, are instrumental in supporting nonprofit organizations across the region, while also promoting the importance of volunteerism. We thank them for their continued support and look forward to meeting this year's Myra Kraft Community MVP Award winners." 

This year's Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards will recognize 26 volunteers from across the New England region for their outstanding commitment to community service. The honorees will be invited to a special luncheon at Gillette Stadium in June and will receive their awards from Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. Each of the nonprofits for which the winners volunteer will receive a grant to support their programs. Last year's recipients featured individuals from every New England state, ages 17 to 83, serving nonprofit organizations specializing in education, healthcare, homelessness, mentoring and military appreciation, just to name a few.

More than 100 runners applied to be a part of this year's Patriots Boston Marathon team. When applying to the team, runners submitted information about their desire to run for the team, which included stories of being lifelong Patriots fans, triumph over personal difficulties and a desire to lead healthy lives. Fans can continue to make donations through race day in support of the team's cause by visiting https://www.firstgiving.com/PatriotsCharitableFoundation/bostonmarathon2016.