Collin Altomari, a 17-year-old Severna Park resident and already a veteran of the competitive marathon circuit, is preparing for the Boston Marathon on April 20. While he may be the youngest participant in the race, that’s not all that’s notable about the Severna Park High School senior, honor student and intern with the Department of Defense.

Altomari, who ran the Pittsburgh Marathon last summer at 17 in 3:06, finished in the top 5% of all entrants. However, he is running in Boston with an enhanced sense of purpose —that’s because he’s dedicating his effort to the MR8 Foundation, a nonprofit that was set up by the family of Martin Richard, the 8-year-old boy that was killed in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.

While Altomari has already raised $7,500 for the cause, he’s also attempting to get large companies to donate money to the MR8 Foundation for every runner that he beats in this year’s event; even a nickel might mean more than $1,000 more to the charity. While he is seeking more corporate support, Altomari already has Fleet Feet, Reliable Contracting, Unlimited Drywall and PTG-Permafrost on board, as well assistance from TomTom, Mark Viviano of WJZ-TV Sports, Maroon PR and others.

To learn more about his effort, upcoming events or to make a tax-deductible donation, contact Phil McGaughey at [email protected] or visit www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/CollinAltomari/bostonmarathon2015.