112th Boston Marathon

Today was Marathon Monday! a.k.a. Patriots Day, one of our pseudo holidays (meaning it's an official holiday but not everyone gets it off work). I was working but as the wife repeatedly reminded me, it was an event day. 

The Boston Marathon is a huge event around here. (take a virtual tour) They close a major road, headed into the city, loads of people come in from out of town, lots of prep work is done, huge clean up is involved, one of the major downtown T stops (subway stations) is closed ALL DAY and the city is blanketed in this feeling of excitement and anticipation.  

This Boston Marathon was the first for my current kiddos. Because of their location we had no trouble attending for about 90 minutes. They definitely didn't get it, but The Boy loved the idea of yelling "yay" and clapping his hands. Little Miss had a bit of stage freight and saved all her clapping for the minute we walked back into the house. Both were curious about the number of people in areas that are generally pretty quiet or filled with passing cars, rather than passing runners.

While taking them for the first time was a treat, what is really special about this marathon is hard to explain. There's this feeling of being in it together. Spectators cheer on complete strangers. People stand outside in the scorching sun, imagine all those people and blacktop, the sun gets pretty hot, to encourage runners. All the runners. Because of this runners will label themselves with their names. Some runners use duct tape or marker with it written down their thigh or across foreheads. There are those who choose to dress up. I saw two men wearing bunny ears! And while there is a winner for each division, male/female/wheelchair (I think) there are no losers. Finishing is what it's all about. People wait at the finish line until the last runner has finished. There are hydration stations every two miles. Some have tents with cots inside in case a runner, or runners, need a break. I didn't see anyone utilizing these, but there were three cots just waiting. People make signs. Companies pass out noise-makers. Spectators of ages come to watch - throughout the event. It isn't as if folks only want to see the front-runners, although they are televised, on the radio and internet if people are interested, people want to encourage everyone and anyone.

It's hard to understand. I remember my first marathon. I went with the family I was working for and I was actually dreading it. It sounded boring and lame. But this feeling of camaraderie was overwhelming. Strangers cheering for sweaty strangers.  It's just awesome.

Other things you may not have known about the Boston Marathon . . . 

Facts thanks to: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/marathon.html

What | 112th Boston Marathon

Where | From Hopkinton, MA, to Boston (26.2 miles)
When | Monday, April 21, 2008, race begins at 10:00 A.M.; elite women runners and wheelchair competitors begin earlier.
Who | Approximately 20,000 runners, representing runners from every state in the nation and over 50 countries. The race record was 38,708 for the 100th anniversary in 1996. There will also be well over a half-million spectators lining the course.

Why |  1. The Boston Marathon, organized by the Boston Athletic Association, is the world's oldest marathon. 

2. In terms of media coverage, the Boston Marathon is the second biggest single-day sporting event in the U.S., just behind the Super Bowl.
3. The overall purse of $796,000 is the richest of the World Marathon Majors events.
4. Winners of the men's and women's elite divisions will each receive guaranteed prize money of $150,000 — a record level in the majors.

Of course I took more than a few photos of our time at the marathon. But I'm not really much of a sports photographer. There are much better shots to see here,  here,  here,  here and even some artwork, here. Even a funny sign.

Hope you enjoyed reading this as much I enjoyed sharing it. Maybe one of these years you could come to Boston and spectate with me!