Whether sitting in a baby stroller in Hopkinton or watching as a Boston College student at Mile 21, the Boston Marathon has been a constant throughout Emma Saart’s life—until 2020. A Massachusetts native, Saart said the Boston Marathon has always been a large part of her life.
The 125th Boston Marathon will be held on Oct. 11 provided that the Massachusetts reopening plan follows as planned, permitting road races by that time, according to a Tuesday announcement from the Boston Athletic Association (BAA).
“Whenever the marathon is coming, I’ll be ready for it and just excited to run down Comm. Ave. and hear everyone cheering,” Donahue said.
The 124th Boston Marathon, originally set to take place on April 20 and rescheduled for September, has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Being able to do this for girls, so that these girls get to have this experience that I was able to have, has been so impactful for me and my own running career and my life,” Rayball said. “It’s for me, but it’s bigger than me.”
“I’ve always wanted to run the Boston Marathon, and it kind of became a ‘now or never’ [moment] when I became a senior,” Humphrey said.
“I remember seeing all of the memorials and things that were still set up around the finish line [after the Boston Marathon bombing]. I thought that was very meaningful and showed the community around the marathon,” Mikkelsen said.
Come race day, Mignosa was surprised by the conditions of the race, but they weren’t enough to keep her from persevering.
“You kind of have to remind yourself that it’s only temporary.”
“Running for me is a lot about healing and working things out … When you run, your body hurts, but your mind feels clear. That’s my personal reason why I run. Whether it’s school or you’re fighting with your friends, or you’re just tired, or, it can be bigger things,” said Lauren Healy, MCAS ’19.
