A Triumph of Miles: The Boston Marathon
June 9, 2023
The Boston Marathon is one of the most notable and historic long distance running races of all time. The marathon takes place every year in Boston, Massachusetts, usually on the third Monday of April, a holiday known in Massachusetts as Patriots Day. Each year, thousands of people from all around the world come to participate, ranging all the way from professional athletes to the average runner.
Established in 1897, the Boston Marathon has a rich and storied history. It is the oldest annual marathon in the world and is considered one of the six major marathons alongside races in Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. The marathon’s course spans 26.2 miles (42.1 kilometers) and begins in the rural town of Hopkinton, west of Boston, before worming its way through various cities and towns, ending in downtown Boston (baa.org).
Albert Carilli, a junior at Ramapo High School, gave his thoughts on the race: “I think it’s cool that the Marathon has so many participants, who are all trying to be the best they can possibly be and are constantly improving themselves. Running is also a great way to stay happy and healthy, and to promote fitness in general.” Speaking of fitness, the Marathon has a stringent qualifying system, requiring participants to achieve specific qualifying times based on their age and gender in previous marathons. This system ensures that the race features top-caliber runners who have demonstrated exceptional athletic ability (baa.org).
The male winner of the 2023 Boston Marathon was Evans Chebet, obtaining a time of 2 hours, 5 minutes, and 54 seconds. He displayed extraordinary athleticism and unwavering determination, which led him to victory. The Kenyan long-distance runner captured the hearts of spectators and forever stamped his name into the annals of marathon history.
The female winner of the 2023 Boston Marathon was Hellen Obiri, who crossed the finish line at a phenomenal 2 hours, 21 minutes, and 38 seconds. Hellen Obiri, another Kenyan long-distance runner, triumphed in the women’s division of the 2023 Boston Marathon. Displaying her exceptional endurance and strategic prowess, Obiri navigated the challenging course with poise and determination. Her victory solidifies her status as a dominant force in women’s distance running and adds another remarkable achievement to her illustrious career.
It’s also important to note that the 2023 Boston Marathon was the ten year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing, which took place on April 15th, 2013. Three people were killed, and 280 were injured, a tragedy that will always lurk in the depths of the event’s history. Mrs. Weiss, a gym coach at Ramapo, gave her thoughts on the event and mentioned its unfortunate anniversary; “The Boston Marathon is one of the most prestigious races anyone runs in. You have to have the qualifications […] and I think it motivates everyone to get out there to run. This year the race celebrated the anniversary of the Boston Marathon Bombing 10 years ago.” All of those who perished in the bombing will be forever remembered, and those who suffered symbolize the message of hope and strength, not only for other runners, but to the entire world around them.
