I desperately wanted to play hooky from my responsibilities on Monday to stay home and watch the live stream of the Boston Marathon. I was a good girl though, and had to satisfy myself later in the day with watching this clip of the men’s finish (via Beth of Shut Up + Run):
I don’t know about you but I cried when Meb started crying at the end. Fast forward to today when my friend Andrea posted this next video from the director of a popular local race, the Hollywood Half Marathon. Watching Ken made me cry too — a good, happy cry. Although Ken missed qualifying for Boston by 23 seconds (now THAT makes me want to cry), he traveled to Boston anyway to offer free hugs to the runners:
I know what it feels like to get a little energy boost from just such encouragement during a marathon. Any time a runner takes to stop for a high five or a hug comes back to him or her in a surge of goodwill and positive energy. Way to go, Ken!
Fit Fun Mom 
I, too, have cried numerous times over the last week as each new story from Boston emerges. What a great time to be a runner and never have I felt so proud.
I’m so happy you posted Ken’s video – he is a remarkable runner and just overall human being. He is a sprinter, not a marathoner, and after crashing hard at his first marathon a couple of years ago he swore he would never do another one. Then the Boston bombings happened, and he felt moved to run the race in 2014. He trained so hard and needed a 3:05 to qualify…which as you know he fell short by just 23 seconds. Incredible effort. The fact that he still went to Boston, gave out hugs for hours, ran 10 miles of the course with other runners…well that just speaks volumes about the kind of person he is. He is also an excellent, very caring race director and I highly recommend his races.
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Oh my goodness, a 3:05 time and coming up just 23 seconds short? Amazing. It must have been such a disappointment, sure, but what an incredible accomplishment! And his story definitely makes me want to put the Hollywood Half on my bucket list. I know you’ve enjoyed the race and Striding Mom recently posted a positive review too: http://stridingmom.com/2014/04/08/race-recap-hollywood-half-marathon/ Thanks for sharing that video Andrea and for your comment!
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That fellow left miles of smiles! 🙂
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Yes, it’s so fun to see the runners’ reactions and appreciation!
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Love that Ken went to Boston to support the runners – he is the embodiment of a true runner!!!
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