Boston Marathon 2006

                                                                  

 

Every year the Boston Marathon attracts the “Elite” runners from around the world. This years event was no exception. The weather was near perfect and a good tailwind at the end made for a new course record. And of course it was one of Kenya’s finest runners that took first place. Robert Cheruyot (2:07:14)

However the Boston Marathon is really about being able to finish. Most of the runners are amateurs. These men and women of all ages train for months and years on end just so they can say they have done it. Many do it for causes, raising money for places such as hospitals, different diseases, police, fire, schools, running clubs ect. Over 20,000 ran the race. That’s really an incredible number of people to run a race.

As Mare-E and I stood at mile 23 and watched the race go by, I couldn't help but feel the thrill of the chase. Everyone has a chip in their gear so that you can roughly follow your favorite runner throughout the course. It was easy getting pictures of the front runners and wheelchair racers. But it was the picture of an 80 year old woman, who had been walking since 5am to make the distance that brought the real meaning of the day to me.

This year my brother’s 3 daughters and their husbands ran the race, and they all finished.

Brookline, Beacon Street, Mile 23 what a great place to watch the race. No big crowds to fight. And plenty of room for all. Trying to get pictures as “our” people ran by was next to impossible. There are soooo many people coming by that you just can’t focus on any one runner. We did see them all, and a few friends from the old neighborhood. What a great day.

I used to think that only the “REAL” runners should be allowed to enter, but that would destroy the character of the event. Congratulations to all that ran and a special “Atta boy and girl” to the Ryan women and their spouses.

Mare-E laughs at me missing the shot. Niece Tracey Jewell (bottom right)is in front of the man in the red shirt.  Alice and her escort, (top right) at mile 23, has been walking the course since 5am.