More Than a Race: Dr. Rebecca Dunn's Lifelong Marathon Between Dentistry, Family, and the Boston Finish Line

by Courtney Westlake, ISDS contractual writer

“It’s like being in a big parade that lasts for 26.2 miles. All of the neighbors are involved with the marathon and are proud to hand out ice, towels, popsicles, oranges and more,” she says. “It is a great feeling.”

The spring 2026 race marked Rebecca’s fifth Boston Marathon. For more than 30 years, she has balanced the demands of running a solo dental practice in Edwardsville with another kind of running, consistently carving out the time and discipline needed to train for marathons.

Rebecca ran her first marathon in Chicago in 2002 and met the qualifying standards to compete in Boston in 2003, at the age of 40. She’s now completed 17 marathons, including Boston in 2004, 2010, 2015, 2023 and now 2026.

“There is nothing like it!” she says. “The town and the people embrace the marathon and just make you feel so special. Plus, Boston is a great place to visit with all the history. My family loves it and are so supportive to be there to cheer me on!”

Rebecca ran track in high school but didn’t start running for exercise and enjoyment until 2000. When her children were all school-aged, she joined a group of moms for a three-mile run a few times a week. As the group began participating in local 5Ks, some members eventually decided to take on longer distances, leading Rebecca to her first marathon. “After that, I was hooked. I think the training schedule and peace of mind I got from the long runs gave me an avenue to relax,” she says.

An Effingham native, Rebecca began her career as a dental hygienist before earning her dental degree from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine. She purchased her Edwardsville practice in 1992 and has operated it as a solo practice ever since.

In addition to caring for patients, she’s also been active in organized dentistry, serving on the SIU-SDM alumni board and Scholarship Selection Committee, as a MDDS delegate and on the ISDS Communications Committee.

Despite her demanding schedule, Rebecca makes time for running early before work and long runs on the weekends, especially outside – “the treadmill is my last resort,” she says. She loves to lace up her shoes and hit the trails near her house and the SIU-E campus.

“Running gives me time to reflect on my day, pray and just listen and look at nature. It is a sense of calm, especially before I go into work where it can be very challenging,” she says. “My patients are always asking me when my next run is, and it’s always fun to see them out on the trails.”

Rebecca follows Hal Higdon’s Marathon Training 18-week schedule and says staying motivated is easier with running partners. Her husband, Mark Bradley – who owns and operates Mark’s Appliance stores in the Edwardsville area – runs with her, as well as several dedicated friends. The couple’s three sons and their families have also been enthusiastic supporters.

“The highlight of my life is the fact that my profession has allowed us to raise three boys: Connor, Drew and Grant,” she says. Today, the older two are married, each have a son, and work in their father’s business. Their youngest son is proudly serving in the United States Navy and is stationed in Virginia Beach.

In everything she’s accomplished, Rebecca emphasizes consistency: showing up every day for her patients, her family and her running routine. That continues to drive her through new adventures, including her latest goal of running a half marathon in every state. She recently completed her 42^nd race in Helena, Montana.

“It’s a great way to see every state and this beautiful country. We usually make a short trip out of it and spend time hiking and learning about the area,” she says. “I hope to complete them by age 65; I’m 63 now, so I have a few years since most are hard-to-reach areas.”

Even as she works on this goal, one race continues to stand out. “To me, the Boston Marathon is the best,” Rebecca says. “It is such a sense of accomplishment.”