Editor’s Corner: Backstage Pass
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
Last weekend I headed to the northeast to cover a little race called the Boston Marathon. Oh, you’ve heard of it?
The Boston Marathon is a truly incredible event that is tough to put into words. Inspiring, moving and historic are a few that come to mind, but to fill in the gaps, pictures might provide the other 997. . .
I saw my first Boston long-sleeve while waiting to board my plane in Tampa. I was so excited I stealthily snuck a pic.
Headed straight to the expo from the airport. The energy was electric! Every single vendor pulls out all the stops for Boston. Some of the amazing sights.
Next stop was an operations meeting regarding the lead car program. (I’d be riding in the press truck!) Every single detail was thought through by the DMSE Sports race organization team. These guys are the best of the best. One major talking point was the heat—they were taking every precaution to ensure all runners stayed safe.
The following morning I headed into Boston with my dad for the pre-marathon Boston Athletic Association 5k. It was my dad’s first 5k ever. We had a total blast!
We stuck around the finish line to watch the invitational road races, including the Middle School 1,000 Meters, High School Mile and Invitational Elite Mile.
The next morning was RACE DAY! At 5:45 the subway was already packed with runners.
I hopped on the bus to Hopkinton (the town where the race starts) and studied my elite women cheat sheet to make sure I had the uniforms memorized.
Hopkinton turns into a runner’s utopia for four hours on marathon morning. There were street fairs, tons of fans and energy everywhere.
Just in time for the elite women’s start, I hopped aboard the press truck. The gun fired and the ladies were off!
This marathon is a true celebration, and the crowds were ready to party. The cheers were deafening. The women battled it out in serious heat—I was sweating just sitting on the truck.
While the entire weekend was unforgettable, my favorite moment was watching the marathoners cross the line. Every single person had worked so hard just to get to the start of this race, and now they’d made it through the finish.
I hope I can make it to Boston next year and experience it as a runner, rather than a spectator. Although, I’m sure that at mile 18, part of me will wish I was on the press truck. 🙂
I want to know—what race is most special to you? Follow me @JessieSebor and let me know!