Trending
No one takes running the Boston Marathon for granted. It's an accomplishment for runners that they're standing among the best not only in the United States, but the world, who compete in the prestigious event.
No matter how many times someone runs it, they cherish the moment. It's an incredible atmosphere the day of the race, with thousands of fans stretched throughout the course cheering on runners from all parts of the globe.
For Ryan Tira, a Lycoming County judge, he is glad he has been able to compete yet again in the event. This year marked the second time he's run the event. Tira competed last year and hopes to compete in the event again next year.
"It's a humbling and rewarding experience. It's neat to think they have been running this for 127 times and I think it's still the same course. It's an intense training process," Tira said.
Tira was one of 10 locals who competed in this year's Boston Marathon, which concluded on Monday afternoon.
Joining Tira from the area in the race included Montoursville's Lisa Walter, 40; Lewisburg's Kara Phelps, 32; Lewisburg's Sarah Mahoney, 21; Wellsboro's Eric Kosek, 42; Montoursville's Brianna Herr, 24; Lewisburg's Dillon Durinick, 31; Lewisburg's Van Cyr, 40; South Williamsport's Brianne Carpenter, 43; and Lewisburg's Beatriz Benedit 54. Lock Haven's Scott Bair, 45, qualified for this year's Boston Marathon but was unable to attend and run the race. He ran Boston previously, however.
This year marked the 10th anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing tragedy.
"The bombing wasn't focused on, but I saw a lot of signs related to it. Especially the Boston Strong signs," Tira said. "Bostonians take the race very personally and are extremely welcoming. It seems that everyone is into it and appreciates people coming to do it. This entire race course is lined with spectators."
Tira finished the race in 3 hours, 2 minutes, 26 seconds and noted that he's still chasing a sub three-hour Boston Marathon time.
The Boston Marathon is considered one of six of the biggest marathons in the world alongside the Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York marathons. The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon, dating back to 1897.
Walter, of Montoursville, beat her time from competing in the Boston Marathon six years ago and ran a 3:27.07.
Carpenter, of South Williamsport, ran as part of Tedy's Team which was started by former New England Patriot great Ted Bruschi after he suffered a stroke at the age of 31. The money raised goes to the American Stroke Association.
This marked Carpenter's first time competing in Boston, but her second marathon after competing in the Wineglass Marathon in 2016.
For Carpenter, she knew that Tedy's Team was the only charity she would run for because of the emotional connection. In 2006, her mother suffered a stroke.
"My mom was my 'why' throughout this entire journey. She suffered her stroke in 2006 and has deteriorated over the years. I was able to educate my family, friends, co-workers and students about strokes and the warning signs. My favorite part is the comeback assistance program," Carpenter, who teaches in Troy School District, said.
That program is for families who cannot afford rehab services when insurance runs out. The mission of Tedy Team's Center of Excellence in Stroke Recovery at Mass General Hospital Institute of Health Professions is to improve the quality of life for stroke survivors.
"Tedy's Team has become a family and my running teammates and I have a bond that will never be broken," Carpenter said.
Carpenter ran a time of 6 hours, 9 minutes.
"The hills are no joke, but I wouldn't expect anything less," Carpenter said of the Boston Marathon, which Bruschi calls the Super Bowl of marathons. "My left knee started to act up and it was hard to bend starting at mile 18, so there was a lot of run-walk-run, but I made sure to run down Boylston Street to cross that finish line."
If you attend or watch the Boston Marathon on television, there's no doubt one of the first things you notice is the huge crowds that gather along either side of the route to cheer on runners and watch the marathon. It's an atmosphere that's almost hard to describe for some runners.
"The atmosphere is infectious. You can't help but smile the entire way. The fans scream out your name the whole way and give you the motivation you need during the tough miles. I wasn't alone for a single moment during the race," Carpenter said. "Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, is known for the 'scream tunnel' where the college students line up and literally scream as you run by. The Boston College students keep you smiling the whole way.
"Fans will have music playing at every corner and the private homes on the route put up signs and offer water, pretzels and other snacks to the runners.Honestly, there is nothing like it," Carpenter said.
Like many runners, competing in the Boston Marathon was a dream that Carpenter had since she began running 5Ks, 8Ks, 10Ks and even half marathons. Carpenter grew up in Massachusetts in Lexington, and her father was a runner who competed in the Boston Marathon.
"It was amazing growing up and having the greatest marathon in the world in my own backyard. My dad was a runner and ran Boston," Carpenter said. "He passed away 12 years ago, so it was emotional to run the same route that he did. Plus, the act that I got to run for Tedy's Team and raise money for a cause that is so special to me meant so much more."