As a result of the bombings at this year’s marathon, more than 5000 runners were stopped in their tracks along the course, unable to complete the race they had trained for all winter.
#onerun was a 1 mile run along the marathon course that
began with an email by Andy Marx, leader of the Most Informal Running
Club Ever and grew into a city-sanctioned event thanks to the collaboration of
leadership from running groups across the Boston area and coordination of the
race management company, RaceMenu.
The event was pretty amazing. I arrived early to volunteer and so did a heck of a lot of
other people. So many in fact,
that RaceMenu had to close their volunteer registration link on their website
because so many people wanted to help out. I helped set up and sold t-shirts for a while, but then got to
head over for the coolest part of my volunteer assignment – being part of the
human chain that would lead runners to the starting line
The runners lined up on Beacon Street, listening to pep
talks by Red Sox outfielder Shane Victorino, former Celtic Walter McCarty and
city Councillor Mike Ross. Four runners,
3 with American flags and one with a Chinese flag in honor of those killed, led
the line of about 3,000 runners. I
held it together while children from the St. Ann’s choir in Dorchester sang the
national anthem, but after our human chain walked to the “One Mile To Go” mark
on Beacon Street, my eyes filled with tears as the Boston Police played the
bagpipes and our human chain broke apart to send the runners on their way.
After most of the runner’s passed, I jumped in and myself
ran the last mile of the marathon route.
For a portion of my run, I was near a couple, the guy shouting words of
encouragement and filming the girl, who it appeared had run the marathon April
15th. I separated
from them a bit and made my way down Boylston Street.
The crowds were not marathon-sized, but the cheers were. Runners who had already finished lined
both sides of the street and along with spectators cheered as new runners
finished. Many runners who had run the marathon
wore their marathon bibs, and several had family hand them their medals at the
finish line. A few moments after I crossed, I saw the couple I had run
near earlier hugging, the girl, between sobs, saying, “I finally did it.”
Obviously there were a lot of urgent issues to resolve after
this year’s Boston Marathon. For
the Boston running community, it was important to again make the finish line a
place of joy and celebration again.
It seems very appropriate that Boston’s Run to Remember was
held at the Seaport Sunday to honor Massachusetts Law Enforcement Officers who
died in the line of duty. Given
the role law enforcement has had in Boston over the last 6 weeks, specifically
as it related to a running event, it was also not a surprise that the race sold
out well in advance.
While originally I had not planned to run, I registered
after the marathon as a way to both honor the law enforcement officers who
played such an important role in the marathon and post-marathon events, as well
to come together with my teammates, many of whom ran today as well. A small part of me also registered to
run to prove to myself that I could again be a part of a large race without
fear.
About 9000 runners showed up on this chilly drizzly
morning. Due to the size and
timing of the race, extra security precautions were taken this year that had
never been implemented in the past.
Only limited roads were open to access Seaport Blvd and all who entered
through the open roads had to go through a security check. Runners were given a clear plastic bag
to bring belongings into the World Trade Center, instead of the usual option to
bring your own bag/backpack to leave in the designated “bag check” area.
As we lined up at the start, my friend Nicole mentioned she
had her phone and some other items weighing down the back of her running
skirt. After being unable to
retrieve her personal items on the baggage buses at the marathon, she didn’t
want to leave anything she might need behind in case she couldn’t get back to
it. It seems like the events of
that day still stick with us all in various ways.
The World Trade Center, which serves as the hub for both
pre- and post-race activities, did not allow new entrants, except runners, once
the race was underway. I can’t say
how everyone felt about these extra measures, but for me, these steps did not
add any inconvenience to my race, and actually made me feel a bit better about
being in the largest crowd I have been a part of since the marathon.
And while the weather, 42 degrees with on and off rain, had
many runners confused about how to dress, no one was complaining. (Having run and volunteered at this
race when it was 90 degrees and sunny, personally I was much happier with Sunday's weather.)
Before the race began, the stage near the starting line
hosted several speeches, bagpipes played Amazing Grace (I held it together
this time) and a moment of silence for the fallen officers we were there to
honor. Tributes were also made to
the marathons victims and Officer Sean Collier. Race organizers printed copies of a second race bib for
runners to pin to their backs, to honor Officer Collier who had registered to
run today’s race.
Police officers were on duty throughout the race
course. And for as many officers I
passed, I heard at least 10 times as many “thank yous” from runners around me
and even several high fives exchanged.
With an upset stomach for most of the race, this was
certainly not my best day. But I
am so glad I ran, as this run will absolutely be one to remember.
