One of the bonuses of having family fly into town is getting to take some time to see the city as a tourist. Boston has hosts the world's oldest marathon and is a major prestige event. My mum and my aunt flew in last Thursday ahead of the crowds here for the marathon. My aunt had qualified to run and Mum was coming in to offer some support. Conditions on Monday were sunny with a nice breeze so it didn't get too hot. Mum, my cousin-in-law and I set up about a half mile from the finish line and waited until my aunt ran past.
I didn't expect to get as emotional as I did, but the enormity of running 26.2 miles and the amount of people running toward the finish line quite often brought tears to my eyes. We cheered everyone who had their name written on their bib and encouraged the few that were faltering so close to the end.
My Aunt kicked some serious marathon ass and finished in 4:02:18. She placed 20th out of 154 in her division (60-69 year olds) and resolved to do even better next year. I'll be there supporting her again for sure.
Congratulations to your aunt! That's really wonderful.
Posted by: Carole | April 24, 2008 at 10:47
Wow, your aunt is amazing! I am jealous that she not only qualified, which is a major accomplishment but finished in just over 4 hours! Tell her congratulations.
Posted by: Cindy | April 24, 2008 at 11:28
I just started reading your blog, and I'm bummed I didn't know about it sooner. Wanted to say hi!
Also, I lived in Boston for the past three years, and our last apartment was right on the route (in Brighton, just after heartbreak hill). We stood outside for hours last year in the rain, doing the same thing, cheering on anyone with their names on them. It was so moving to see people's strides pick up when they heard us, see their faces light up. I got choked up too, every time.
Posted by: mick | April 24, 2008 at 11:39
My dad ran the marathon! He finished 4 hours, 10 minutes - you might have seen him! He and my mom are finishing out their week in Boston and really having a good time.
Posted by: kristin | April 24, 2008 at 11:41
That is so awesome! Congratulations to your aunt!
Posted by: Rachel | April 24, 2008 at 12:51
it's hard not to get emotional when you see everyone running buy. especially the ones who cross the finish line around 6pm. you know, the regular folk. every year it makes me want to train ... for about 10 minutes ;)
what an awesome accomplishment for your aunt.
Posted by: maryse | April 24, 2008 at 13:10
it's hard not to get emotional when you see everyone running buy. especially the ones who cross the finish line around 6pm. you know, the regular folk. every year it makes me want to train ... for about 10 minutes ;)
what an awesome accomplishment for your aunt.
Posted by: maryse | April 24, 2008 at 13:11
Holy cr*p! Good for her!
Posted by: Suzanne V. (Yarnhog) | April 24, 2008 at 14:09
That's amazing. Heck, I could NOT run that marathon, so anyone who can gets major congrats from me!
Posted by: Steph | April 24, 2008 at 14:28
I love cheering people on at finish lines! It really is the most amazing energy, isn't it?
Yay for Auntie. What an inspiration!
Posted by: Jocelyn | April 24, 2008 at 20:03
Yay! So cool! A running post in an unexpected place. Rock on, Auntie.
Posted by: suzee | April 24, 2008 at 22:33
That is SO impressive. Not just to run and do so well, but just to qualify is such an accomplishment. Snaps to your Aunt - and good for you going out to cheer her on. :)
Posted by: finnyknits | April 25, 2008 at 16:27
What an amazing accomplishment. Congrats to your aunt!
Posted by: Kate | April 26, 2008 at 16:49
I ran my first 5k this spring. (Which, granted, is NOTHING like a marathon, except that our finish times are similar- kidding.)I got emotional both at the beginning and at the end. It was tough not to. It was on my "life list" since I was about 13.
I stay for awhile to cheer others coming through the finish line. The look of utter joy and exhaustion on the people's faces was great.
Congrats to your aunt!
Posted by: Sunflowerfairy | April 30, 2008 at 07:13
The marathon is an amazing & inspiring event. I missed it this year.
It's even better if you can find an organization to volunteer with -- I handed out water several years in college as a volunteer project coordinated by residence life.
Posted by: Alison | May 14, 2008 at 14:33
Wow. Your aunt rocks!
Posted by: Jennifer | July 03, 2008 at 17:09