Even with 193 days left until the race, members of the Tufts community have already started training for the 115th Boston Marathon in April of next year.
Every year, a team of Tufts students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends join the Tufts President's Marathon Challenge (PMC) to compete in the Boston Marathon.
University President Lawrence Bacow initiated the program in 2003 as a way to connect the Tufts community and raise money for university health and wellness programs.
PMC Director Don Megerle, a former Tufts swim coach, is in his fourth year as coach of the team and his 40th year overall at the university.
"It's a high−quality program," Megerle said. "I don't think there's anything like it in the United States."
Approximately half of the 200 marathon runners are faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the university, while the other half are students.
Students are expected to raise $1000, while non−students must raise $2500. The money raised goes toward the Personalized Performance Program, which is a health and fitness program for Tufts students, faculty and staff, and toward Friedman School of Nutrition Professor Christine Economos's efforts to curb adolescent obesity. Since 2003, the program has raised over $2.6 million.
Many resources are available for the runners in the months leading up to the marathon. The official website contains important information, such as the training schedule, inspirational stories and tips on injury prevention and fundraising.
In preparation for the marathon, the team has started training on Wednesday and Sunday at 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., respectively. The distances vary between 4 and 14 miles depending on individual fitness levels. While Sunday morning practices are a bit more popular than Wednesday mornings, turnout has been strong.
Runners should not be worried that the early morning practices will have an effect on their social lives. "The main concern is that you have to get up really early, but even if you're staying up late, you can still pull it off," Jack Miszencin, a junior said.
Freshman Katie Lowe has enjoyed training with the team, even though she realizes that she will probably not get a spot on the actual team this year.
"It's a motivation to get out if I have a group of people to run with," Lowe said. "The group of people on it are really nice. I get to meet a lot of older kids, too."
Megerle and Dan Kopcso, a member of the Tufts athletics staff, set up snack stations at the end of the runs to refuel the runners. "The chocolate chip cookies after the run make my life," Miszencin said.
So far, over 300 runners have signed up, though Megerle expects over 400 to sign up eventually. Only 200 Tufts runners are actually able to compete in the marathon, so there are procedures that dictate who gets a spot.
In order to get a spot, runners must complete a 10−mile qualifying run in December to show commitment. The final group of 200 is chosen in January.Non−students get automatic placement, while students are chosen based on seniority.
Interest in the challenge has been growing each year. When asked how the challenge has changed throughout the years, Megerle said that there are simply more runners.
"I see a lot of veterans around campus," he said. "Their enthusiasm has transferred to their friends, and a lot of their friends are running this year. They're coming in with a good frame of mind."
When asked why she has decided to run the marathon, senior Amanda Roberts said it is because of a tradition within the Tufts field hockey team. "Almost every year, the graduating seniors all run the marathon together, so that certainly influenced my decision," Roberts said. "Four of the other seniors will be running it with me this year."
Roberts also acknowledged that Bacow's imminent departure from the university may have influenced others to join the team. "He's done so much for the university, and a lot of people see it as a tribute to him," Roberts said.
When asked if Bacow's departure will have an effect on the challenge, Megerle said he thinks the only real change may be the name. "We don't know what we'll do for the name. The new president may be a runner who welcomes the idea of the President's Marathon Challenge," he said. "If he or she is a runner, then great. But I don't know what we're going to do. I like the name PMC."
