On April 19th, 16,743 runners, including 17 HBS students, successfully ran 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston. For 108 years, the Boston Marathon has been run on the 3rd Monday of April. Hundreds of thousands of Bostonians and visitors look forward to celebrating Patriots’ Day (the anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord during the Revolutionary War) each year by watching the Red Sox play (and hopefully win!) in the morning and then cheering runners on along the marathon route in the afternoon. The Boston Marathon symbolizes the start of Spring after a long, cold winter.
This year, runners and spectators experienced record-breaking heat and challenging race conditions. The temperatures at the noon start time in Hopkinton reached 83 degrees. By the time many runners crossed the finish line on Boylston Street, temperatures had soared to 85 degrees.
Over 1,100 runners needed medical help (140 needed to be hospitalized) during or after the race. Three elite runners, including two past champions, did not finish.
Although many runners were disappointed with their finishing times, I want to congratulate everyone who trained through a long, cold winter and faced what is considered a very tough hilly course even in ideal running conditions. As we Bostonians like to say, “There’s always next year.” Just think about how easy it will be to reach a new PR!
Thanks to all of you who came out to cheer us on. It made a huge difference. If you happen to see classmates limping across the lawn or walking backwards down the stairs of Spangler, please acknowledge their achievement.
TOP 10 Reasons To Run a Marathon (even in 80+ degree weather)
10) lubing up every body part in public and peeing on the side of the road is socially acceptable and encouraged
9) you can rationalize self-indulgent behavior like massages and pedicures
8) to say you did it
7) for charity
6) it’s a reason not to follow the herd and go on Atkins or South Beach diet – carbs are necessary part of training
5) being wrapped in a mylar blanket and receiving a medal
4) having thousands of spectators cheer your name (by mile 18 you forget that it is written on your shirt and start believing they KNOW you)
3) meeting people from all over the world who share a love for running (and an ability to discuss gu flavors, double layer socks, tapering restlessness and other training issues long after your family members and non-running friends are bored to tears)
2) the chance to be overwhelmed by encouragement and support from family and friends
1) the feeling of crossing the finishing line and achieving your goal (even if it means losing the ability to walk up and down stairs for days afterwards!)
HBS RUNNERS:
Leo Addimando (NH)
Andrea Colpitt (OE)
Ken Dinovo (OH)
Jake Heller (NA)
Jeffrey Hindman (OE)
Jim Hourdequin (NG)
Alex Kazaks (OE)
Matt Kelly (OJ)
Spencer Kympton (OD)
Sanghyun Lee (NG)
Robert Martin (ND)
Sarah Molloy (ND)
Chaim Motzen (NH)
Grace Park (OA)
Tom Reardon (NJ)
Ryan Sweeney (NB)
Ivy Wang (OI)
