For students at Tufts who hail from outside New England, Patriots' Day is a mysterious but warmly welcomed day off from classes. For those from Boston, the holiday means only one thing: the Boston Marathon. One of the largest sporting events in the country, the Boston Marathon is one of the city's strongest traditions.
The Marathon
Over a century ago, 15 dedicated runners completed the first Boston Marathon, and 114 years later, the tradition is still going strong. The marathon is always held on Patriots' Day, a state holiday unique to Maine and Massachusetts. Though the United States can claim the most wins — 41 — the event has become international in scope and draws both participants and spectators from all over the world. Over 26,000 runners from 90 countries and all 50 states on Monday will run this year's 26-mile, 385-yard race.
Boston's race is unique in the widespread public backing and support it receives, according to record-holding ultra-marathon runner Ian Sharman.
"In a lot of big city marathons, it's not like a whole lot of people care," Sharman said. "It's the whole atmosphere. Everyone gets really behind it."
Sharman, who is signed with The North Face and will be running the Boston Marathon for the third time on Monday, has completed his fair share of challenging courses. Typically a 100-mile racer, Sharman still says that Boston's course is challenging, noting the infamous Heartbreak Hill, a 0.4-mile-long ascent near the end of the marathon trail.
The course, which starts in Hopkinton, follows Routes 135, 16 and 30 before heading into downtown Boston and finishing in Copley Square. A series of climbs starting around Newton, including Heartbreak Hill, makes the last half of the marathon notoriously difficult.
The Boston Marathon ranks second only to the Super Bowl as the largest single-day sporting event in the world, and this year it will dole out a collective $806,000 in prize money to its winners.
The Runners
Professional athletes may be going for the win, but Tufts' President's Marathon Challenge (PMC) team will field 200 runners who are dedicated to the race and having a good time. The PMC is the largest collegiate marathon program in the United States and allows students to partake in defining life experiences, while also raising money for Tufts-related nutritional, medical and fitness programs.
PMC Director Donald Megerle is a firm believer in preparing runners not just for the athletic and mental aspects of the race — but the fun too.
"The bottom line to all of this is to enjoy it," Megerle said. "You are on stage for 26 miles. You are a rock star."
The team, which is a mix of undergraduate and graduate students, parents, alumni, faculty and staff, wakes up early a few mornings each week to train together. Though the runs are long and the hours are early, student interest in the event is consistently high.
"It's a lot of fun," Megerle said. "Each year you get more and more kids with more and more enthusiasm than the year before.
In fact, enthusiasm for the program is so great that far more runners sign up than can compete in the challenge. John Hancock Financial Services, the team's primary sponsor, donates 200 bib numbers to Tufts for the race annually. The company's 10-year contract with the PMC team has now expired, but Hancock agreed to still provide the team with 100 bibs for the next two years. Racing numbers are given out in order of seniority — most go to alumni, friends of the university, graduate students or undergraduate seniors.
Senior Ryan Kring, who will be running the marathon for the first time this year, considers the PMC to be one of the defining experiences of his Tufts career. He appreciates the camaraderie of the team, but especially the guidance of Megerle.
"Don is really the heart of the team," Kring said. "He is so inspiring. You never realize how important a great coach is until you do something as challenging as a marathon."
Even runners who are not able to officially compete in the marathon still have great respect for the PMC. Freshman Jeremy Aronson, who plans to run the race numberless as a "bandit," looks back on his training quite positively.
"It was the experience of a lifetime," Aronson said.
The Spectators
Thankfully, running 26 miles is not the only way to take part in the marathon fun — many Tufts students also find it entertaining to watch the competition. Approximately 500,000 people crowd the streets of the greater Boston area to watch the runners. Sharman and Megerle both recommend watching near Heartbreak Hill or the finish line, though those looking for a good view will have to fight the crowds. Racers will take off between 9 a.m. and 10:40 a.m., so spectators must get out early.
A number of Tufts students volunteer at aid stations along the course, providing encouragement and nourishment to runners. The presence of so many college students gives the event a "party atmosphere," Sharman said. He has even seen spectators offer alcohol to runners. Sharman, however, feels that what makes the event special for spectators is the scream tunnel made up of girls on Wellesley College's campus. Runners can hear the euphony for miles, and those in need of some extra encouragement are even offered kisses from the crowd.
"The main thing that makes it unique is screaming college girls halfway through," Sharman said. "That's definitely something you don't see anywhere else."
