The running of the 127th Boston Marathon is an exciting event for not only those that have spent countless hours preparing to run the 26.2 miles, but also for the entire running community and residents of Massachusetts and surrounding New England states. Not only does Massachusetts embrace the local celebrations marking the historical significance of Patriots’ Day, many welcome the anticipation and buzz generated as we get ready to see marathoners hit the streets of Boston. Whether you head towards the starting line, volunteer on race day, catch a glimpse of the start of the race on TV before you head to work or school or follow along with live updates throughout the day, the marathon is an occasion to celebrate.
The Boston Marathon is one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, the six largest and renowned marathons in the world. Runners from all over the globe travel to Boston to run every year, some for the competition and others for the goodwill of raising money for important causes. There is no denying the significance of this event. This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the horrific acts that happened in 2013, something we will never forget and that highlighted the undeniable resilience of the running community, Boston Strong. New England has had many talented and elite runners, both past and present. Two that I will always remember – Joan Benoit Samuelson who ran the marathon in 1979, 1983 and 1987 and Brian Collins, a member of the Quarter Center Club, recognizing him for having run 25 or more consecutive Boston Marathons before his passing in 2022.
Arriving in Hopkinton, MA on the morning of the Boston Marathon is an honor like no other for a runner. It is the culmination of hours of training and sacrifice, the reward for running a qualifying time at a past race and the physical presence of a commitment to charity, an amazing feat for all. This year, though I won’t be running the streets of Boston and tackling Heartbreak Hill, and I can’t be at the starting line, I will be regularly checking in on the race throughout the day, keeping a close eye on NH runners including Christin Doneski and Sam Fazioli, and cheering for those committed to running on behalf of one of many important charities. I am humbled by those that take on this significant feat on behalf of charity, such as NH runner Beth Connolly. She has raised over $100,000 for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, although she easily qualifies to run the marathon on her own merit, she opts annually to run in an effort to highlight the important work they do, saving the lives of so many.
This year Northeast Delta Dental signed on to sponsor WMUR’s coverage of this special event. In the Marathon Minute special viewers get a chance to see a quick look at bits and pieces of what makes the Boston Marathon the monumental event that it is. As President & CEO of Northeast Delta Dental, I take great pride in the human and financial resources we invest in our community – both in charitable donations and in sponsoring numerous races in our tristate area for our local running community. We see these as a natural extension of our philosophy of the important role that oral health plays in whole-body wellness and the undeniable connection fitness has to our health and wellness. I hope you get a chance to catch the Marathon Minute on WMUR and join me in cheering on the over 20,000 runners expected to line up on race day.
