Boston Marathon Week
A week from today thousands will descend upon the streets of Boston to partake in one of the most iconic and beloved races to take place on US soil, the Boston Marathon. For many, this race is a bucket list item that marathoners strive for. Hitting that BQ (Boston qualifier) and getting the email officially notifying you of entry incites a euphoric feeling of gratification. So much hard work and dedication goes into making this dream a reality. Getting the entry confirmation is just the first step. What follows is months of build up to prepare to make Boston your best. And now it's a week away from the moment many have been waiting for since the minute that confirmation email came through. This week is all about celebrating what got you here so that on race day you can lace up and simply enjoy the experience. To kick off this week let's reflect on what made the Boston Marathon what it is today.
The first Boston Marathon was run on April 19, 1897 and was 24.5 miles, just short of the marathon distance we recognize today. Only 15 participants stepped up to race and John J. McDermott took the crown in a time of 2:55:10. The race started in Metcalf's Mill in Ashland and ended in the Irvington Oval in Boston. Originally the race was held on Patriot's day, a holiday commemorating the start of the Revolutionary War, and only recognized in Massachusetts and Maine.
Since that day in 1897, the race has evolved in many ways. In 1924 the race distance was changed to match the standardized Olympic marathon distance of 42 kilometers or 26.2 miles. Then in 1969 the Revolutionary War holiday was officially moved to the 3rd Monday in April, and the Boston Marathon has been held on a Monday ever since. One of the biggest changes came in 1966 when the first woman, Roberta Gibb, unofficially became the 1st woman to run the full Boston Marathon and then in 1967 when Katherine Switzer became the 1st official female entry. At this time the Amateur Athletics Union had yet to accept female participation in distance running. In 1972 women were officially allowed to enter and in that year 8 women started and finished the race.
Today the race draws about 30,000 people to the start with about 16,000 men and 14,000 women. The men's record stands at 2:03:02 by Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya. Almost a full hour faster than the first Boston Marathon winner! The women's record by Buzunesh Deba of Ethiopia is an astounding 2:19:59. Each year the race summons some of the best marathoners in the world consistently making for an exciting finish. But beyond just the fast times, the Boston Marathon holds great significance to the distance running community as a whole. The aura that surrounds the event can be felt, seen, and heard from even the training tables of our office. The city of Boston isn't shy about it either. Nearly 80% of the population shows up to cheer on the masses at the oldest & one of the fastest marathons in the country. Even heartbreak hill can't break the spirit that's alive in Boston. Charity runners make up about 2,000 of the entries and typically raise over $15 mil. for various charities. No stone is left unturned as each man or woman makes their way through the point to point race that ends right in the heart of Boston.
Amongst the excitement the key is to contain it all early. The adrenaline will be pumping and the spectators will make you feel like the king of the world. But be patient, soak it all in and save a little gas for heartbreak hill. This week at RunRaleigh PT we will be all about Boston. Sharing success stories from our very own patients! We will working to inspire and keep you excited as we all count down the days to Marathon Monday. We may also through in a few tips to make sure you all come out on top!
Image Sources:
1. http://registration.baa.org/images/bostonmarathon/logos/baamarathon_2017_blast-header_725x355.jpg
2. http://www.excellesports.com/news/kathrine-switzer-reflects-on-historic-run/