THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE BOSTON MARATHON

Boston Marathon 08

2008-03-18T20:09:00.000-07:00

Hi. If you haven't noticed yet, I took a year off from writing about the Boston Marathon. But that shouldn't stop you from checking out some of the previous posts. There are loads of tips from marathon champions (really, honest), history and fun stuff that will help get you ready for April 21. Hope it helps. Good luck. All the best.

Thank You

2007-04-16T18:58:00.000-07:00

I'd like to thank the thousands of volunteers who helped make the 111th Boston Marathon a success. Also, a very special thanks to all of you for checking this site to find out more about the world's greatest marathon. All the best.

The one thing before and during the race

2007-04-15T12:38:00.000-07:00

Two days ago I devoted a post to a listing of great books about the Boston Marathon. This training season I read Marathon by Clarence DeMar. Originally printed in 1937 (reprinted in 1981), the autobiography provides a glimpse into DeMar the man and the marathoner. He also has a few interesting insights on life as well, like the need to keep running in balance with the rest of your life.

But here's the passage I really enjoyed, and hopefully will help you tomorrow...

There is, however, one thing that I've always needed and which everyone else that I've ever known has needed, and that is concentration, both just before and during the race. Without concentration no one can be ready to throw all he has into the race and no one can do everything he is capable of in the contest. What printer, what business man, what editor, what school teacher wants distraction when he is working his hardest.

-from Marathon by Clarence DeMar

Work hard. Good luck tomorrow. See you after the race.

One more quote from DeMar...

Do most of us want life on the same calm level as a geometrical problem? Certainly, we want our pleasures more varied with mountains and valleys of emotional joy, and marathoning furnishes just that.

7-time Boston Marathon winner Clarence DeMar

An interview with Bill Rodgers

2007-04-14T09:39:00.000-07:00

It wouldn't be the Boston Marathon without a few words
from four-time winner Bill Rodgers. Check it out...

Bill Rodgers Interview

COMING TOMORROW: Find out the one thing seven-time Boston Marathon winner Clarence DeMar needed just before and during a race. It could help you on Marathon Monday, too.

Read all about it

2007-04-13T15:34:00.000-07:00

In between checking weather forecasts and deciding what to wear on Monday, relax with a good book and get into the spirit of the Boston Marathon.

Boston Marathon & Beyond. A collection of stories highlighting the history of the Boston Marathon, from the first race to the first women through to the modern day.

Alcorn, Alfred. The Long Run of Myles Mayberry. The novel’s main character, unsuccessful in the workforce,has a dream of winning the Boston Marathon. Describes his ambition and determination to capitalize on his lone chance at greatness in Boston.

Babon, Gene. The Race to Boston: Achieving Excellence in Long Distance Running. Combined with commentary on the author’s own racing experience, a training program developed by the writer to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Barnes, Linda. Dead Heat. An innovative sleuth with unorthodox tactics is in charge of protecting a senator who is running not only for re-election but also the Boston Marathon.

Beardsley, Dick and Maureen Anderson. Staying the Course: A Runner’s Toughest Race. The story recounts his amazing race against Alberto Salazar in the 1982 Boston Marathon, as well as the course of his life in the years following his narrow and unexpected defeat.

Benoit Samuelson, Joan with Sally Baker. Running Tide. One of the greatest runners in history — 1984 Olympic Gold medal winner and two-time Boston Marathon champion — tells her compelling story.

Benyo, Richard. The Masters of the Marathon. Biographies of several of the world’s greatest marathoners, including many Boston Marathon champions.

Blaikie, David. Boston: The Canadian Story. Canadian men and women who have made their marks at the Boston Marathon.

Brant, John. Duel in the Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley, and America’s Greatest Marathon. The story of the famous battle between Salazar and Beardsley in the 1982 Boston Marathon.

Connelly, Michael. 26 Miles to Boston: The Boston Marathon Experience from Hopkinton to Copley Square. Personal account of the experience of running the Boston Marathon. Forewords are written by John A. Kelley,Bill Rodgers, and Uta Pippig.

DeMar, Clarence. Marathon. The seven-time winner of the Boston Marathon tells his story in this biography from 1937.

Derderian, Tom. Boston Marathon: The History of the World’s Premier Running Event. Year-by-year chronicle with sources including accounts from the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and several of Boston’s other daily papers from the early to mid-1900s.

Derderian, Tom. The Boston Marathon: A Century of Blood, Sweat, and Cheers. 100 people, places, and stories. Foreword by Bill Rodgers.

Driscoll, Jean with Janet and Geoff Benge. Determined To Win: The Overcoming Spirit of Jean Driscoll. Autobiography of her prolific career atop Boston’s wheelchair division.

Falls, Joe. The Boston Marathon. Boston Marathon champions, as well as the less extraordinary participants,and what motivates people to run the Boston Marathon.

Higdon, Hal. On the Run From Dogs and People. A humorous and entertaining survey of the sport of running, specifically the Boston Marathon prior to its mass appeal.

Higdon, Hal. Boston: A Century of Running. The author’s twenty-ninth book; written in anticipation of the 100th Boston Marathon; officially recognized by the Boston Athletic Association.

Hosler, Ray, ed. Boston, America’s Oldest Marathon. Historical account.

Kardong, Don. Thirty Phone Booths to Boston. A non-fiction collection of a runner’s stories, including one in which he maps the locations of key telephone booths along the Boston Marathon route and calls them on the day of the race as runners pass.

Kidd, Bruce. Tom Longboat. Olympic marathoner and Boston Marathon champion in 1907, this book’s main character is considered one of Canada’s finest athletes, having lost only three races in his amateur career.

Kram, Mark and Alex G. Campbell, Jr. Miles to Go. Tale of an American, a German, and a Japanese runner; each has his own motivations, but they are all determined to do whatever is necessary to win the Boston Marathon.

Kulper, Eileen with Michael Goodman and Skip Berry. The Boston Marathon. Illustrated children’s book highlighting the Boston Marathon’s history.

Lewis, Frederick and Dick Johnson. Young At Heart: The Story of Johnny Kelley, Boston’s Marathon Man. John A. Kelley’s uplifting vision of running and the human spirit.

Lonergan, Tom. Heartbreak Hill, The Boston Marathon Thriller. Fictional story of race-day complications,celebrity entries, and a swift investigation.

Marsh, Carole. The Mystery at the Boston Marathon. A group of kids tries to track down the mysterious whereabouts of their teacher who disappeared from the Boston Marathon.

McGillivray, David J. with Linda Glass Fechter. The Last Pick: The Boston Marathon Race Director’s Road to Success. The story of Boston Marathon Race Director, marathon runner, and motivational speaker Dave McGillivray. With a foreword from Joan Benoit Samuelson.

McKay, Robert. The Girl Who Wanted to Run the Boston Marathon. Young love and childhood dreams lead this novel to its finish, while the Boston Marathon looms as an elusive goal.

Nall, Sam. It’s Only A Mountain: Dick and Rick Hoyt, Men of Iron. Biography of a father and his son, who was born with cerebral palsy, and their incredible accomplishments competing as a tandem in road races and triathlons.

Rodgers, Bill with Joe Concannon. Marathoning. Autobiography of the four-time champion of the Boston Marathon with the Boston Globe’s longtime running scribe.

Semple, Jock with John J. Kelley and Tom Murphy. Just Call Me Jock. A collection of memories told through John J. Kelley and Tom Murphy, creating a story of the legendary Boston Marathon official and club manager.

Switzer, Kathrine. Marathon Woman: Running the Race to Revolutionize Women’s Sports. The inspiring story of the woman who broke through the gender barrier in the marathon, propelling women to the sport’s forefront and helping to get the women’s marathon into the Olympic Games.

Tsiotos, Nick and Andy Dabilis. Running with Pheidippides. Stylianos Kyriakides, Greek winner of the 1946 Boston Marathon, ran to a miracle finish in efforts to save his country from famine.

Tuckman, Bruce W. Long Road to Boston. Inspired by his own racing experience, this author and avid runner creates a passionate story about a man’s race from Hopkinton to Boston.

Ward, Michael. Ellison “Tarzan” Brown: The Narragansett Indian Who Twice Won the Boston Marathon. The biography of 1936 and 1939 Boston Marathon champion Ellison “Tarzan” Brown. Includes a foreword by John J. Kelley.

Williston, Floyd. Johnny Miles: Nova Scotia’s Marathon King. Non-fiction account of a delivery boy from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, who won the Boston Marathon in 1926 and 1929. Halifax, Nova Scotia: Nimbus

Allen, Elise. The Traveling Marathoner: A Complete Guide to Top U.S. Races and Siteseeing on the Run. A guide to 12 U.S. marathons — one per month — which features the Boston Marathon in the “April” chapter.

Cleary, Kathleen. If This Is Heaven, I Am Going to Be a Good Boy: The Tommy Leonard Story. The story of the founder of the Falmouth Road Race, and the Boston Marathon’s Official Greeter.

Gaaserud, Micheala and Renee Dexter. From Fairbanks to Boston: 50 Great U.S. Marathons. Detailed guides of the top U.S. marathons.

Gibb, Roberta. To Boston with Love: The Story of the First Woman To Run The Boston Marathon. Her story of facing the odds and challenging institutions is affectionately written and directed toward the city.

Henderson, Joe, ed. The Boston Marathon. “Booklet of the Month” from Runner’s World magazine in April 1972; history, as well as highlights the 1971 race.

Nason, Jerry. The Story of the Boston Marathon: From 1897. Boston Globe booklet, presenting the history of the Marathon from 1897 to 1965, compiled by the newspaper’s running writer and sports editor.

Robinson, Roger. Heroes and Sparrows: A Celebration of Running. It is the first study of running as a literary subject and is included in most lists of the sport’s outstanding books.

Robinson, Roger. Running in Literature: A Guide for Scholars, Readers, Runners, Joggers and Dreamers. Robinson’s wit and intelligence crackle through this masterful guide to running’s place in literature.

Robinson, Roger and Kathrine Switzer. 26.2: Marathon Stories. Robinson and Switzer explore the history of the marathon through words and an extraordinary selection of photographs.

Sandler, Michael. Jean Driscoll: Dream Big, Work Hard. A children’s book about eight-time Boston winner Jean Driscoll and her struggle to overcome spina bifida to become a wheelchair champion.

Source: B.A.A.

Samuelson to receive Patriots' Award tonight

2007-04-12T15:36:00.000-07:00

The Boston Athletic Association will present the sixth annual Patriots’ Award to marathon legend Joan Samuelson tonight at "Cheers" in Boston .

The award recognizes a New England sportsperson or organization for contributions both to sport and to the local community.Samuelson burst onto the scene when she won the 1979 Boston Marathon. The Bowdoin College student crossed the finish line in a Red Sox hat—in a new American-record time of 2:35:15—forever endearing her to the Boston crowds.She will forever be remembered for her dominating gold medal performance in the inaugural Olympic women’s marathon in 1984.

In 1999 Samuelson, a native of Cape Elizabeth, ME, founded the popular Beach to Beacon 10K, utilizing a course that runs along the coastline of her picturesque hometown. Each year, the race chooses one Maine-based, youth-oriented charity to benefit, making a donation and providing fundraising opportunities for the organization. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Beach to Beacon 10K, and STRIVE—a non-profit organization serving developmentally disabled youth—has been announced as this year’s beneficiary.

Past recipients of the Patriots’ Award:

2002 New England Patriots / Robert and Myra Kraft

2003 Red Auerbach and the Red Auerbach Youth Foundation

2004 Ron Burton and the Ron Burton Training Village

2005 The Red Sox Foundation

2006 Dick and Rick Hoyt, Team Hoyt

Source: B.A.A.

Rain Rain Go Away

2007-04-11T16:15:00.000-07:00

From the B.A.A. -

As the Boston Athletic Association continues to make preparations for Monday's Boston Marathon, we are monitoring the upcoming weather conditions forecast for this area.

Based on the National Weather Service's most recent report and in cooperation with the Executive Office of Public Safety (Commonwealth of Massachusetts) and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, together with the eight cities and towns along the 26.2-mile marathon route, we are planning for likely heavy rain and windy conditions on race day.

However, all race day plans remain the same.

The Boston Athletic Association advises participants in Monday's race to plan accordingly for their run, bringing with them gear and apparel to suit the conditions. The B.A.A. will continue to update this web site as necessary.

Quote of the Day

2007-04-10T16:14:00.000-07:00

The things we do should consume us. If they don't, our lives won't have any meaning.
- John J. Kelley, 1957 Boston Marathon champion

Thirsty for more?

2007-04-09T15:33:00.000-07:00

Hmmm, what to do after the Boston Marathon? Let's see. How about signing up for another marathon? The 2nd annual Great Boston Beer Marathon. I found this online in Boston.com's event section. 26 bars in 14 hours! As Homer Simpson would say, " woo-hoo!" Don't worry, you still have a couple of months to train for it--event is Saturday, June 23.

Here are some of the details if you're interested in going the distance.

2nd-Annual-Great-Boston-Beer-Marathon

What you get: (from website)

An Official Great Boston Beer Marathon t-shirt.

Waived cover at each of the bars of this second annual crawl.

Free Pizza at the end of the night

Entry into raffle for 32 inch LCD High-Definition Television

When: June 23rd, 2007 at noon til 2am of the 24th.
Cost: Currently only $22.00. Price may be going up so buy em cheap!

Here's a list of the some of the bars you'll visit:

Game on

Boston Beer Works

Jake Ivory's

Bill's Bar

Jillians

Tequiila rain

Lucky Strike

An Tua Nua

Common Ground

Tonic

Kells

Our House West

Copperfields

Cask N' Flaggon

Pizzaria Uno on Bolyston

Big City

Wonder Bar

The Draught

More to come...(dont worry, there will be twenty-six)

Nina Kuscsik

2007-04-08T14:17:00.000-07:00

Nina Kuscsik will be the official starter of the women's elite field, 35 years after she won the first official women's title at the Boston Marathon in 1972 with a 3:10:26 performance. She has entered the race unofficially three times before, but women were not recognized as official runners until 1972.

From the Boston Globe, Tuesday, April 18, 1972 ...

Mrs. Kuscsik happy depite 'poor' time

by Margo Miller

The winner, Mrs. Nina Kuscsik, thought her time of 3:10:26 was "pretty lousy". She's used to doing the Marathon in 2:56.

Runner-up Elaine Pederson came in salt-streaked but looking fresh as a daisy at 3:20:35 and said that she couldn't have done it without the "wonderful Boston crowds cheering you for the whole 26 miles."

And when it was over, Kathy Miller who was third at 3:29:51, recalled that last week she'd had a dream that Elaine Pederson had beaten her.

This 76th Boston Marathon marked the first time women were legal entrants. Mrs. Kuscsik, Miss Pederson and others of the Boston Nine "ladies" (as the crowds persisted in calling them had run before unofficially.

There was some confusion, but officials figured that Mrs. Kuscsik's time would have been good for about 410th place among the 1081 men. She said the relatively poor times for the women runners may have been due to "trying too hard at the beginning" out at Hopkinton.

For the winner, the "satisfaction was being first in the first official time women could run," said Mrs. Kuscsik peering out at the press from under a big floppy laurel leaf.

Practice running, said Elaine Pederson who does about 50 miles a week, is a great way to day dream and "solve a lot of your problems." But when you race your mind has got to be on form. "You aim for an eight minute mile," she said, and yesterday when she realized she was doing a 7:15 mile, the Boston Marathon was a great place to be.

The only hitch came at the end when the women's locker room below ground at the Pru was discovered to be utterly lacking in soap and towels.

Source: B.A.A., boston.com

Podcasting from Hopkinton to Boston

2007-04-07T19:32:00.000-07:00

Steve Runner, host of Phedippidations, the weekly PodShow podcast for runners, will allow fans all over the world to track his running of the Boston Marathon in real-time and listen to his progress from start to finish.

"I look forward to sharing the experience of running Boston with my listeners," said Runner. "Through Phedippidations and PodShow, I am able to bring the world's oldest annual Marathon and one of the most prestigious of all road races to a truly global audience."

Running his 15th official marathon, and his 6th Boston Marathon, show host Steve Runner will present a series of audio programs in the month of April, covering the history, heroes and experiences of the storied event highlighted by his in-depth coverage of the 111th race on April 16.

Produced weekly and made available for weekend long runs, Phedippidations can be downloaded for free at http://phedippidations.podshow.com/. Steve Runner is a long time contributor to the international newsletter and website "Run the Planet," which attracts the largest world wide running community on the Internet.

Source: PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance

7th Annual Boston Marathon Kenya Project

2007-04-06T17:58:00.000-07:00

7th Annual Boston Marathon Kenya Project

Franklin Park Zoo, African Tropical Forest,

One Franklin Park Road, Boston

Wednesday, April 11 9:30 - 12:15

The folks at John Hancock have been active in this endeavor for the past six years. Once again John Hancock associates and executive managers will teach Boston elementary schoolchildren about Kenyan geography, culture, and language, as well as the Kenyan legacy at the Boston Marathon. Last year the children also received a visit from 2004 Boston Marathon men’s champion Timothy Cherigat.

The Church of the Finish Line

2007-04-05T18:41:00.000-07:00

Old South Church, located on the corner of Boylston and Dartmouth Streets in Boston, will salute the Boston Marathon with ten blue and gold banners flying from the Tower overlooking the finish line.

Nine banners are a salute to the race, to the athletes, and to the international spirit of sport, while the tenth banner will bless the athletes.

Weather permitting the banners will fly Thursday, April 12 through Monday, April 16.

As the first athletes turn onto Boylston Street on Monday, Old South's Great Bell will announce their approach, and ring the winners across the finish line announcing their accomplishment with proper pomp and ceremony.

On Sunday , April 15, Old South's festival worship celebration at 11 a.m. will include a "Blessing of the Athletes" … a traditional act of blessing to keep the athletes safe from harm or injury, exercise respect for each other, and find the stamina to endure the competition. All athletes are welcome to the church that is commonly referred to as "the church of the finish line" at this time of the year.

Old South Church was built between 1872 and 1875.

Source: B.A.A.

Simply Irresistible?

2007-04-04T18:38:00.000-07:00

Simply Smart Milk Products wants you! Or if you're running Boston, maybe you can pass this along to an attractive friend who wants to make a few extra $$$...

Event at John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo - Boston Marathon!!!

Looking for fit and attractive males or females to work the Simply Smart booth at the Sports and Expo Event for the Boston Marathon!

Friday April 13, Saturday April 14, and Sunday April 15.

** MUST BE AVAILABLE ALL 3 DAYS **

MUST BE 18-30 years of age and fit!

Model Requirements:
Attractive & Fit -Spokes Model Experience a Plus!!
Outgoing and Energetic -Professional & Reliable -Friendly & Approachable
Attire: TBD.
Event Times:
Friday April 13 11am-6pm
Saturday April 14 8am-6pm
Sunday April 15 8am-6pm (27 hours total)

Rate: $12.00/hr
You will be paid within 2 weeks of this promotion. Paychecks for this event are mailed out on April 27, 2006.

How to apply:
If you or someone you know meets the above requirements, please send an email with the following information to Kristina.heller@events-promotions.com :
-Full Name -Phone Number -Date of Birth -Photo Required!

For more info, call 1-888-432-2444

Boston Marathon tips

2007-04-03T18:12:00.000-07:00

If you're new to the site and looking for some tips for Boston, just look below and you'll see "Labels : Boston Marathon tips." Give a click and off you'll go to the full archive of tips from folks like Bill Rodgers, Dave McGillivray, Jeff Galloway and others. We've got less than two weeks to go before Boston 07. Be smart.

Engaged in NY, Married in Boston

2007-04-02T06:17:00.000-07:00

Who wants to run a marathon on their wedding day? For runners Pattiann McAdams and Aaron Russell of New York City, there is no better way to get married. The couple who got engaged at the finish line of the 2006 New York Marathon plans to marry on the Boston Marathon course in April.

"I can think of nothing more special than saying we got engaged at the New York City Marathon and married at Boston," said Russell who is running his 10th straight Boston Marathon. The fast-running couple is planning to marry in a civil ceremony immediately after conquering Heartbreak Hill in Newton. "It's a perfect location. The three miles in Newton are not easy, and it would be the ultimate love commitment and a nice contrast to be married after scaling Heartbreak Hill," Russell said.

Once they have finished the remaining five miles and crossed the finish line on Boylston Street, the real party will begin. The couple will have a reception afterwards at the Lenox Hotel with family and friends from New York and the New England area.

Source: B.A.A.

Kathrine Switzer's new book

2007-04-01T17:42:00.000-07:00

Kathrine Switzer's new book, MARATHON WOMAN, will be released on Boston Marathon Weekend. The release of the book coincides with the 40th anniversary of her becoming the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon.

For more on Kathrine, visit http://www.katherineswitzer.com

Japanese star to pitch at Fenway

2007-03-31T11:32:00.000-07:00

Former long-distance runner Toshihiko Seko will throw out the first pitch on Sunday, April 15 at Fenway Park.

Toshihiko Seko captured two Boston Marathon titles – 1981, 1987. He returns to Boston this year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the latter, when he pulled away from former world-record holder Steve Jones in the final miles.

Source: B.A.A.

Clowning around before the Marathon

2007-03-30T10:22:00.000-07:00

The Big Apple Circus will return to the Boston Marathon Pre-Race Dinner holding mini performances under the Big Top tent. The pasta dinner - hosted by the Boston Athletic Association and the City of Boston is free to all Boston Marathon participants. More than 10,000 runners are expected to join Mayor Tom Menino at City Hall Plaza on Sunday, April 15th from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The Big Apple Circus is in town from March 31st through May 6th, performing at the City Hall Plaza. For more information, please visit www.bigapplecircus.com

Highlights from the Deena Kastor Boston Marathon teleconference

2007-03-29T17:53:00.000-07:00

John Powers (Boston Globe): Hi, Deena. I wonder if -- this is the Boston debut for you. What induced you to run the race this year and what role, if any, does the World Marathon majors play now in how you select your races?

Deena Kastor: Yes. I guess every time I have a goal of running a marathon, the goal itself seems to dictate which races I run. I, for so long, wanted to break the 2:20 barrier and other spring marathons, the London Marathon being the other World Marathon major held in the springtime seemed a better choice to be able to give myself the opportunity to break the 2:20 barrier.But Boston has always been in the heart and soul of probably every marathoner out there. It seems that it's the icon in this sport, the race that everybody strives to get qualifiers for, to be a part of. So it's always been in the back of my mind. And this year after -- after last year breaking the 2:20 barrier it seemed very easy to choose -- to choose Boston this year and in hopes of trying to win that.

Larry Eder (Running Network): A quick question for you. The downhill at Boston, did you have to add certain workouts, did Terence (Deena's coach) and you discuss certain workouts just to give you a good feel for that?

Deena Kastor: We have been training -- I mean we live in the mountains in Mammoth Lakes, California, and it's -- our whole team is able to prepare, no matter what their races are coming up, be able to prepare for specifics of uphills and downhills and getting in the pounding of a downhill when your legs are tired in the middle of a long run. So we've definitely incorporated that into our training.

Larry Eder: Okay, and can I just ask you another quick question? You were talking about kind of your basic training schedule, where you have a couple long runs each week and then is it one hill and one speed workout a week?

Deena Kastor: We incorporate hills into tempo runs -- into our tempo runs as well as our long runs, and then the rest of the week we have short interval sessions and then longer interval sessions on another day. So we get a whole buffet of workouts.

Operator: Our next question comes from Jim Gerweck from Running Times.

Jim Gerweck: Hey, Deena, just wondering how much -- this is sort of following up on Larry's question -- how much specificity of training you've done for the Boston course and how much study of the hills, the ups and downs and where they come and how that's played into your training and your strategy for the race?

Deena Kastor: Yeah. I will emphasize that we did train specifically with this course in mind and not just in hopes to run fast and persevere over this course, but to also recover well afterwards from it. We've done 21-mile runs that -- that maybe six of those miles were uphill and followed by a few miles of downhill running. We've been trying to get in downhill pavement running to pound -- pounding the legs a little bit.

So the fact that we've been doing these -- these runs, also and tempo runs, 12-mile tempo runs with two miles uphill and the last two miles downhill. So all-in-all I've recovered exceptionally well from all of these workouts and being able to come back a couple days later to be able to do another hard workout.So we have gave gotten in the hill work. I feel very confident. I've always felt confident on hills, but more so now that we've run them on pavement with this specific course in mind. Trying to put them in, put the hills in the workouts at points where I'm already feeling a bit fatigued and trying to run strong over them. So I feel good, I've definitely done some visualizing out there when we're out on our Green Church Road, doing tempo runs, but visualizing myself on the Boston course itself.

Hoyts to miss Boston Marathon

2007-03-28T18:13:00.000-07:00

One of the most familiar and beloved sights of the Boston Marathon will be missing this year.

Dick and Rick Hoyt, the father and son team, will not be making the trek from Hopkinton to Boston.

The younger Rick, who was born with cerebral palsy, was recently diagnosed with cellulitis, a skin infection that can be very dangerous if not treated promptly. He will have surgery today and because of the recovery time, he won't be ready to race on April 16.

The Hoyts have missed just one other Boston Marathon since 1981 and also compete in about 30 other races every year.

They hope to resume racing later this summer and plan to be back for next year's marathon.

Source:WBZTV.com

Bid now!

2007-03-27T17:15:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what Boston Marathon items are up for auction on ebay?Stop wondering, start shopping! You can own a Boston Marathon cow bell, posters, a puzzle, Marathon Monday Red Sox tix and more. Good luck!

Click here to check out auction items.

148,149,...

2007-03-26T18:16:00.000-07:00

Going "cold turkey" was the only way Francisco Rodriguez could quit smoking when he abandoned his habit of two packs of cigarettes a day. Reflecting a change in lifestyle, he started running and has barely stopped since.

The 56-year-old Vice President of the Bank of New York completes 10 to 12 marathons a year and will run his 150th marathon this year at Boston. The Madrid-born Rodriguez has finished marathons in every state and is looking to enter his ninth consecutive Boston Marathon. The route from Hopkinton to Boston has always been one of his favorites, and for his big anniversary run it had to be a special marathon.

Source: B.A.A.

Outta this World

2007-03-25T12:42:00.000-07:00

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams will be running the Boston Marathon in space.

The Needham-native will be running the race on a treadmill on board the International Space Station (ISS) while her sister Dina Pandya runs the actual course on earth. Williams qualified for Boston at last year's Houston Marathon clocking a time of 3:29:57.

The B.A.A is sending her a bib number and runner's medal via a NASA shuttle up to the space station.

Source: B.A.A.

Attention Cape Ann residents

2007-03-24T14:02:00.000-07:00

If you're running the 111th Boston Marathon on April 16, The Gloucester Times wants to hear from you.

The Gloucester Times is looking to speak with Cape Ann residents who will compete in the race. The paper wants to hear your stories about why you're running, whether or not you have a time goal, what you're doing to prepare for the race, and how the overall experience will be for you.

Please e-mail Sports Editor Steve Maniaci at smaniaci@ecnnews.com, or staff writer Dan Guttenplan at dguttenplan@ecnnews.com with your name and contact information.