The Issue: 112th Boston Marathon runs by Boston College What we think: Runners, fans show true sportsmanship
It is a day of endurance and revelry, a celebration of perseverance, discipline, and stamina. The 112th Boston Marathon provided drama, pathos, and inspiration. It also showed the finest qualities of runners from around the world and of the Boston residents and Boston College students who looked on.
From the time that four-time winner Robert Cheruiyot sprinted by St. Ignatius Church until the final trickle of runners passed the main gate of BC, a hearty crowd encouraged them on. Thousands were watching as Dire Tune out-kicked Alevtina Biktimirova in the last 100 yards to Copley Square to set a new women's course record. Others cheered as Lance Armstrong, a cancer survivor and five-time winner of the Tour de France, ran by. But perhaps most inspirational of all was the sheer spectacle of over 25,000 runners struggling through the 26.2 miles and the vast crowds that helped them do it.
It did not matter if runners sported gear from Korea, Notre Dame, Canada, or BU - everyone was united behind them encouraging them toward the finish. Certainly there was the normal Patriots' Day morning tailgate and beer-filled block parties, but BC students showed themselves to be up to the task of rooting on runners toward the finish.
Even more impressive were the runners from BC. A horde of Superfan shirts, running jerseys, and Campus School apparel came down Commonwealth Avenue. BC showed its ability to use its resources to give back to the community. Over 150 runners ran to raise money for the Campus School, which helps children with disabilities. With this record number of runners (which required three buses to take them to the starting line in Hopkinton, Mass.), Campus School leaders expect fundraising to top $70,000. This exemplifies the Jesuit ideas, as students train for months to run a marathon for themselves and for others.
The marathon and the marathoners have something to say for the rest of us. Sports are often contentious and can bring out the worst forms of aggression in fans (soccer hooligans, Final Four riots, etc.). The marathon is different. The same elements are there: competition, athletic excellence, drunken fans, but there is also a great respect for the efforts of the athletes and awe for the magnitude of their undertaking. The marathon is a great Boston event. We would do well to make the culture behind it part of our larger sports environment, and take from the Campus School runners an example of how to put our talents and time to use for others.
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