The story:
One Greek may have posthumously invented the marathon. Londoners may have perfected its distance at 26 miles 385 yards. Yet, Boston made the marathon what it is today. The Boston Marathon, this year held on April 19th, is the oldest and most prestigious race at that distance in the world. With a limited field of 25,000 competitors, difficult qualifying times for even the most fit runners, and a sellout rate faster than you can click your mouse, it is the race that every marathoner covets. To say you have qualified for Boston puts you on another plane.
Join me, one and all, and gaze upon the pantheon of local Boston qualifiers who will represent us lowly mortals in the battle of the gods.
Ben Newell
Age: 31
Town: Urbana (townie)
Qualifying Time: 3:09:26
Q1: Why are you running Boston?
It’s the world’s oldest annual and most prestigious marathon. A badge of honor goes with having run Boston because of the qualifying standards set to participate in the race. All marathoners are asked “Have you run Boston? Did you qualify for Boston? Are you going to run Boston?” so you’ve got to do it at least once!
Q2: What motivates you to run in general?
I run for the fitness, competition, camaraderie, and thinking time. Some go to church; I go running. Mostly, I enjoy both competing against others, as well as pushing myself to the limit. It’s rewarding to set and accomplish goals.
Q3: What do you expect to take away from the Boston Marathon experience?
The $150,000 first place prize money. More realistically, at Boston it’s about the experience and just enjoying yourself. There is a reason that the race is on a city holiday, Patriots’ Day. The entire city is pumped up for this race, and it’s truly a unique experience.
Eileen Lichtblau
Age: 52
Town: Champaign (originally NJ)
Qualifying Time: 4:02:52ish
Q1: I am running Boston because I qualified and never thought that would happen. This is my first Boston, and I am sure my only. It wasn’t on my radar. I missed by 11 minutes a couple of years back, and my husband said I could shave that time off easily. I thought he was crazy. We were running the Indy Marathon 18 months ago, and he said I was going to qualify if I kept up the pace. Amazingly, I did.
Q2: It started as an activity that I could share with my husband. Long distance came as a goal when I turned 40 (to do a marathon). Now, it’s a method for staying in shape.
Q3: I am very excited for Boston, although very nervous too. I am always afraid I won’t be able to finish. This is my 10th marathon, and I have never DNFed, but have come close a couple of times. I hope to take away memories of a once in a lifetime experience.
Rob Shultz
Age: 43
Town: Champaign (originally Barrington)
Qualifying Time: 3:18:16
Q1: Boston has always been a stretch goal for me as a runner. It is the grand daddy of them all!
Q2: I obviously enjoy the health benefits that go along with being in great shape from running. Additionally, I love the sense of accomplishment that comes from completing a marathon. There are very few things in life where you can cross the finish line and be completely finished. Marathoning does that for me.
Q3: I plan on soaking in the entire experience, including enjoying the pain that Heartbreak Hill will deliver. This is the most famous marathon in the world.
Jeff Fago
Age: 50
Town: Mahomet (originally Nebraska)
Qualifying Time: 3:34:55
Q1: When I started running in 2006, I was amazed by the accomplishments of those who had qualified for Boston. I thought that would never be possible for me, as I thought I was a mediocre runner. After running a couple of marathons, I realized that with the proper training and dedication most marathoners can achieve the coveted BQ.
Q2: My father was diagnosed with cancer, and I realized it was time for me to live a healthier lifestyle. I bought a pair of running shoes and as they say, the rest is history. Boston will be my 8th marathon; I will run Illinois on May 1st, which will be my 9th. Recently, I realized that this year’s Chicago Marathon is on 10/10/10, so I decided I had to run that one for my 10th.
Q3: My goal at Boston is to just enjoy the experience; I have no time goal. I plan on taking a camera to record the event, I may even stop and kiss the women at Wellesley College, and might even get brave enough to drink a beer with the students at Boston College.
Jennifer Elliot
Age: 27
Town: Champaign (originally Ann Arbor, MI)
Qualifying Time: 3:38
Q1: It’s been a dream of mine since I began running seriously, roughly five years ago following college graduation. As Boston seems to be the runner’s equivalent to the “Superbowl,” complete with millions of fans and cheering crowds, it was only natural to try and qualify, hoping to ultimately run it.
Q2: The happiness, tranquility, and healthful effects that come with running motivate me to continue. There is something almost religious about getting up for that early run day after day. It’s satisfying on a personal, emotional and spiritual level.
Q3: I expect to take away triumph, physical pain, and sheer joy from the Boston Marathon. The opportunity to run there is too good to pass up. I know this marathon, in particular, will push me to the breaking point, and I cannot wait to tackle it.