Boston refers to the 3rd Monday in April as ‘Marathon Monday. It’s such a big part of the city’s identity, and while they set the stage, it’s the participants, supporters and volunteers that create the show.
I started the morning w a short ‘sunrise’ walk to the finish area. It was cool, misty and quiet except for the police resdy to keep everyone safe. The security at this event has been phenomenal – visible without being imposing. This morning you could see that it had stepped up another level with barriers and security check points for about a 1/2 mile radius around the finish area. I took my chance to thank the police on Boylston 🙂
Most events in Brisbane require you to be at the startline before 6. Today we didn’t have to be anywhere until 8 so it left plenty of time to relax and get ready. It’s very strange to start so late, meaning that nutrition looks very different. Oats for breakfast, a Vegemite bagel and banana for the startline, and a mountain of gels for the event 😬 Security meant that everything had to be on you, or in a little clear plastic bag that had been provided. Amazing how much stuff you can load… including poncho, anti chafe, and toilet paper just in case 😂
We walked to the athlete loading area to meet friends, and say final farewells. It was very weird not to have Andrew with me all the way to the line. At this point, we’re still over 2.5 hours from the start!
The start-line is 42km away so everyone is shipped out on hundreds of school buses. The buses stream through Boston Common, with volunteers counting people on, and then giving a big cheer as they pull out. The have the logistics of this event so down-pat, and create such a unique experience along the way – the ultimate ‘Desirable, Feasible, and Viable’ solution. Great to share it w Kim, Peter and Elizabeth from Brisbane.
The buses stream from Boston to Hopkinton. There are just so many, all heading in the same direction. It would be amazing to see from the air. We were all quietly very thankful to make it after one of the nearest near misses I’ve ever been in… a major swerve to avoid running into the bus in front on the freeway, into a lane w a truck flying up behind us. As the passengers at the back and w no seatbelts we came too close to a horrific end to our journey 😳 A grounding moment.
Arriving in Hopkinton the mist had turned to drizzle, and it was getting cold. The athletes village is about a mile from the actual line, so there’s time and space to eat and use one of the hundreds of ‘port-a-potties’. It’s a common complaint that there are never enough at an event – not this one! Queues were still big, but I’ve never seen so many in one place in my life. You can see some in the background of the photos, and this would be less than 10% 😂 Marathon start-lines are also notorious for waste. This one asked people to leave everything on a table so that volunteers could sort it – clothing for donation, compost, plastics, and rubbish were all carefully sorted. So impressive.
The start-line was an opportunity to mark the end of my journey to the marathon. I left the shoes that delivered my BQ at the Sunshine Coast and the blue jumper that my girls have worn during many of our travels, while enjoying my Vegemite bagel. Little meaningful pieces that reminded me of the journey and the people who got me here.
Boston is known for its supporters and didn’t disappoint. The kids at Hopkinton school had put messages in their windows – my personal favourite – ‘It’s not 26.2 miles its 10 water stops’!
My final moments before the start… wave 3, corral 7. Nervously excited runners stretching, retying shoelaces, taking photos… doing whatever it takes to calmly make it to the line.
There’s no standing at the start line or gun to go off… the crowd just slowly moves forward over the timing mat, and then you’re off. Just 42.2 to go with thousands of others.
Hundreds of thousands of people braved the freezing rain to cheer and celebrate – from a mile before the start line to well after the finish. People had BBQs, were offering Vaseline, bananas, pickles and beer… they were singing, drumming, cheering and playing music. I heard so many songs from my ‘MCGs road to Boston’ playlist – every one gave me a huge smile!
I also came across a fellow Ovarian Cancer supporter… these are the best moments.
And I managed to spot this Aussie supporter in the crowd. Was very happy to see him!😀
I’m used to taking a lot of photos and soaking up the world around me when I run. The drizzle turned to cold rain at about the halfway mark, just as the biggest hills kicked in. An injury in the final weeks had left me without many hill sessions and every part of me started to freeze. After a couple of attempts to pull my phone out ended with me dropping it I could tell that the priority had to shift to just finishing.
The noise and atmosphere as you run the last mile is incredible. Past the Citgo sign, through the dip, right on Hereford and left on Boylston… I was so grateful to make it to the finish – 4:06:18… freezing cold and happy 😃
A huge shout out to the volunteers… all 9500 of them! They stood in the rain for hours directing, handing out water and blankets, sorting waste… all with huge excitement and commitment to make this the best day for athletes. I received my medal from a lady married to an Australian, and was wrapped and taped into a space blanket. These guys love this opportunity!
Finally made it through the fence to Andrew for the short and somehow incredibly long walk to get warm!
My traditional post-race burger was consumed, and we headed out to Fenway Park for ‘Mile 27’ celebrations with Brisbane friends. The end of a huge and unforgettable day… thank you Boston 🙏 💙💛🦄
And Marathon #8 is complete! 💙💛🦄 The toughest course and toughest conditions I’ve encountered were never going to dampen my gratitude for the event, volunteers and every supporter of the Boston Marathon. The day threw everything at me and I still made it with a smile, gratitude, and love… that’s probably the best reflection of this whole journey I could have wished for. 😊
Love M and theGrady x
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