Wednesday, April 15, 2009

ON SPORTS ~ Marathon Monday...


Edition #24

Thirteen Things about THE BUMBLES -
and the true meaning of the Boston Marathon, which will be run for the 113th time by 25,000 (utterly insane) people on Monday, April 20th...

1. Inspiration - Father Dick pushes son Rick as Team Hoyt competes in their 27th Boston Marathon. Rick is quadriplegic and cannot speak, but is far from disabled. Molly had a class with him at Boston University and was amazed by his abilities.

2. Longevity - John "Young at Heart" Kelley competed in a record 61 Boston Marathons, winning it twice.

3. Pain - Heartbreak Hill is in Newton and is actually a slope of a couple hundred feet, but it continuously breaks lots of spirits and hearts by being located 5 miles away from the finish line.

4. Scandal - Rosie Ruiz was not a very good cheater. Not only did she jump onto the course partway through in 1980, but she came in first and set the Women's Course record. She was stripped of the title and safe guards were put in place to protect against future cheaters.

5. Local Strength - Joan Benoit was far from a cheater. This New Englander won the Marathon twice and the first ever Women's Olympic Marathon within 5 years of each other in the early 80's breaking world records along the way. Local hero Bill Rodgers won 4 times and set American and Course records while helping to revive the sport in the 70's.

6. Dominance - A Kenyan has won the Marathon 17 of the last 18 years for the Men and 7 of the last 9 for the Women. 1983 is the last time an American won - Joan Benoit and Greg Meyer both won that year.

7. Equal Opportunity - The Boston Marathon was the first to allow for a wheelchair division, which has been competing in it since 1975. It is amazing to watch these athletes in their slick, fast chairs fly through the streets, power up hills and maneuver over trolley tracks.

8. Support - Over half a million people line the course to cheer on the athletes, elite or otherwise, but some of the most noticeable are the girls of Wellesley College who scream their support and provide all kinds of motivation at the halfway point of the course.

9. Charity - The Marathon allows over 20 charities and their runners to compete and recently they have been able to raise approximately $10 million each year.

10.Love - Every year there are inevitably a few marriage proposals and wedding ceremonies at the finish line as well as Heartbreak Hill (for those with a sense of humor). There are also lots of people devoting their efforts to loved ones in need, fighting overseas, or gone from this world.

11.Holiday - Every single Marathon has been run on Patriots' Day which commemorates the first battles of the Revolutionary War at Lexington & Concord. It is only observed as a state holiday in MA and ME.

12.Traffic - Not only are major roadways completely barricaded in and around the 26.2 mile course, but certain Boston T (subway) stations are closed as well. As if Marathon spectators aren't enough, the Red Sox always play at home on Marathon Monday and start at 11AM so that when the game ends the crowd can walk over to watch the runners cross the Finish line.

13. The Runners - Not the elite athletes, but the regular runners, who compete with Pride and Determination, Defiance and Resolve. Good luck to you all on Marathon Monday!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. What do you do? Write Thirteen things about yourself, summarize your week in one entry, make it easy for other bloggers to get to know you on a weekly basis. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is not only encouraged, it is part of being a Thursday Thirteener! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun!



21 comments:

colleen said...

Are you one of the insane ones? I once walked against drug abuse 25 miles in Boston. Several blisters and eight hours later...

Unknown said...

I admire those with the drive and determination to do these Marathons. I hope they raise a ridiculous amount of money for charity.
Great list. Happy T13!

On a limb with Claudia said...

Boston is such a big deal! Are you running? Did you qualify? And get in!? That's what's amazing to me - you can qualify and not get in!

Alice Audrey said...

I'd like to see it some day, but doubt I'll ever make it out there for it. Run it? No, not me!

♥♥ Willa ♥♥ said...

so, are you going this year?
Thursday 13

Thorne said...

The Boston Marathon rocks! I love to watch so many people with such heart. I always cry. Hehe.
Happy TT, Bumbles! I'm up with Recycled Art Mosaic Materials

Nicholas said...

Good luck to all of them -- but rather them than me!

Daisy said...

Marathoners amaze me. I don't think i could ever dedicate that much time, energy, and devotion to running/walking that far. Its just not in me. Thanks for the neat facts about the Marathon!

Thursday 13 - edition 3
Weekly Plans 4/13-4/20

Hootin Anni said...

Marathons....more power to you and those that run them....my son was in two, both Honolulu marathons, and I still can't believe the distance!!!

My 13 is posted....all flowers in our yard, done in a collage for you. Drop by if you can find time. Happy Thursday.

I am Harriet said...

Who knew...
We just hosted a marathon here. Great weather!

Mia Celeste said...

Your post inspires me. Thanks.

Paige Tyler said...

Very cool TT! We do half-marathons! Working our way up! LOL!

*hugs*
Paige

My TT is at http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

I know next to nothing about marathons besides that it's LONG and that it's, well, LONG, XD. I have so much admiration for those that can do it though. I know I couldn't.

T13 - 54th Edition
Weekly Plans: Come join in the fun

Janet said...

Do you know...I've never been?

All Rileyed Up said...

That's some great trivia, esp #7 and 9. Go marathon runners!

Anonymous said...

I'm sore just reading this, along with incredibly impressed. Insane they may be (there's no maybe, but it pays to be polite), you don't beat dedication like that!

Happy TT

~X

{S.T.U.F.F.} said...

entertaining and informative post :^).

Marathons...always a mystery to me

soleil said...

that's awesome!

golrodo said...

I am originally from NH and have always admired the people who compete in the marathon. Think you for posting such great facts. It's makes it even more enjoyable.

An Eerie Tapestry said...

Great list. I'm stunned that anyone can do a marathon, let alone 61. Anyway, have a happy holiday on Monday.

ChandaDiane said...

Wow, lots of things I didn't know. I like the one about the Sox always playing at home and the fans being able to walk over. Leaves me with a great sense of community and pride :D