Asheville Reporter

Two firefighters from the Asheville Fire Department in North Carolina are set to participate in the upcoming Boston Marathon. The marathon, sponsored by Bank of America, will take place in April. The firefighters, Anna Pigman and Dustin Cooper, will be part of a team sponsored by CITGO.

Chris Kiesling, CITGO Assistant Vice President Light Oils Operations and Marketing, explained the sponsorship: “Sponsoring firefighters from Asheville was one small way we could recognize and thank first responders who supported their communities during the devastating floods from Hurricane Helene last fall.”

Anna Pigman serves as a fire captain with the department. Dustin Cooper previously worked as a safety and training officer before retiring in 2024. Both have participated in the marathon once before; Pigman ran in 2014 and Cooper in 2018.

Cooper views running as a means to manage his health condition affecting leg circulation. He stated, “Being a runner already saved my leg,” adding that his surgeon encouraged him to continue pushing his limits despite medical challenges. Cooper humorously noted that his training included carrying buckets of river water at home after recent flooding.

Pigman aims to use her participation to motivate her community and family members affected by last year's floods. She expressed hope that her dedication would inspire others: “It would be my hope that my focus and determination on being ready and prepared for this race would help others also regain their confidence and sense of normalcy.” She wishes to demonstrate perseverance for her nine-year-old daughters through her efforts.