Brookline resident running marathon for domestic violence hotline

By Brock Parker, Globe Correspondent

Brookline resident Jenny Efimova spends her days running a hotline for domestic violence victims. But on April 19, she'll be running a marathon for them.

Efimova will be running the Boston Marathon this spring in an effort to raise $15,000 for SafeLink, a domestic violence hotline run by Boston-based non-profit Casa Myrna Vazquez.

Efimova has been training since the beginning of December with her SafeLink colleagues Rebecca Berger and Alejandra Esparza, who will also run the marathon, and the three have been braving freezing temperatures, ice and snow to get ready for the 26-mile run.

"We are kind of almost at the half way point, but it doesn't feel like it," Efimova said.

This will be the first time Efimova has run the marathon, and she said she's been inspired to join the race as a way to mark the 10th anniversary of the SafeLink hotline this year.

Safelink is the only statewide domestic violence hotline in Massachusetts, and it operates 24 hours a day to provide assistance to victims of domestic abuse, and family members of abuse victims, when they have no where else to turn, Efimova said.

"When everything is closed and everyone is sleeping, our advocates are here," Efimova said.

After beginning as a volunteer for the hotline in 2005, Efimova is now managing the service.

While training for a marathon can get "ugly" in the winter, Efimova said she is taking advantage of living in Brookline by training along the path the race cuts through the town. She's also been running out to "Heartbreak Hill" to prepare, and is now running about 12 miles per jog.

For more information about SafeLink or to donate to the Efimova's team, visit www.firstgiving.com/teamsafelink.