Wanderers Prevail at Boston Marathon

by Chris Moore

The forecast for the 111th running of the Boston Marathon was grim, at best. A Nor'Easter of epic proportions was underway as rank and file began to assemble in Boston. Sunday's weather proved to bear that forecast out. Cold, driving horizontal rain, and Gusts of winds over 50mph.

Walking with an umberlla was futile, as they were immediately turned inside out. Several Wanderers each with their own difficulties getting to Boston found each other in the downpour late Sunday as the expo was winding down.

A nervous race sponsored pasta dinner was attended by several Wanderers including superfan Phil, who clearly didn't know what he was getting into. Most talk that night though was of the weather, how bad was it going to be, how to dress, what sort of performances were going to be possible? Some forecasts had the rain ending around the start of the race, but forecast were changing hourly. An early exit followed as the Wanderers retreated, hoping to get dry, warm, key weather channel updates and some shut-eye before the early bus ride to Hopkinton.

Awaking in the dark, with rain still falling, they all descended upon Boston Common. With daybreak came a lull in the rain and moderate temps. Perhaps that was it? No, just a tease, as the busses left the city limits, the rain and wind picked up again. One of the biggest fears from the night before was how to stay warm and dry sitting in the athletes village (read soccer field), and then another break, because of the inclement weather, they opened up the school gymnasium. Sure sitting on concrete, packed like sardines with 2999 other runners on a basketball court wasn't ideal, but it sure beat Runners 3001+ who, because of Occupant Loads, were left to sit outside under any eave, alcove or shelter they could find. Rains continued.

Wanderers were now in full force, splayed at all angles trying to maximize horizontal time and retain as many sq. ft. of floor space possible. Bottles of gatorade and ClifBars (cheap plug!) were nibbled on as final clothing selections were made. Trips to the bathroom were delayed as long as possible to maintain floor space and risk not getting back inside.

Finally, 9:00 rolled around and the Wanderer contingency began to head out into the weather and the long walk to the starting line. Last minute adjustments, mass removal of trash bag ponchos, 20,000+ runners and a handful of Wanderes shuffled into crowded corrals, the race was about to start. Current weather conditions: light rain, slight breeze with cool (but not cold) temps. The gun went off promptly at 10.

Photos and Personal race-Reports:

The following are personal accounts by some of the Wanderers
who participated in the Boston Marathon and links to the photos:

Click map to enlarge

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