Waltham’s Alex Cucchi running Boston Marathon to raise $100K for autism

Alex Cucchi is taking on his third Boston Marathon on Monday. He is running the race to support the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism with the lofty goal of raising $100,000 ahead of the race.

Cucchi grew up in Waltham with his parents and younger brother, Thomas, who was diagnosed with autism in 1996. 

“Our parents learned as much as they could about the neurological and developmental disorder and did everything they could to make sure my brother, who is now 30 and living independently, got what he needed,” Cucchi said. 

Families with an autistic child face many expenses — family training, speech therapy, hearing impairment services — and insurance does not always cover these costs, Cucchi said. One of the ways the Flutie Foundation supports families is with grants and direct payments to families.

“My wife, Giana, and I ran the 2024 Boston Marathon and raised more than $81,000,” Cucchi said. 

This year Giana is expecting her first child. 

“I want to put my all into one more fundraising effort,” Cucchi said, “which is why I hope to raise $100,000 this year.” 

Are you, or do you know, a Waltham resident running the 2025 Boston Marathon? For a chance to get your story told, email us at news@walthamtimes.org. Please include information on your history with the marathon, your qualifying time or charity affiliation and any photos you may have.