Ready to run
Islanders set to participate in today’s Boston Marathon
Charlottetown marathon runner Mike Peterson is looking forward to experiencing the vibe around Boston today.
Peterson, along with his wife Jocelyn Peterson and Charlottetown runners Stan Chaisson and Amber Spriggs, travelled together to the United States to participate in the Boston Marathon.
This won’t be a first for Peterson and company, as they have all had their shot at running the famed marathon in the past – Chaisson will participate in his sixth race and Spriggs in her third.
This will be the fourth time the Petersons have participated in the race, but their first in several years.
“We actually haven’t run (it) since 2012,” Mike said. “We took a little break and just did some other marathons. Our kids ski race, so it’s hard to train in the winter and be ready for a spring marathon, so this is our first time in six years.”
Peterson said the 2012 marathon was dubbed “the hot year” by participants, as temperatures soared above 32 C.
Because of the heat, participants were given the option to differ racing for one year and have guaranteed entry into the 2013 race. About 6,000 people deferred, but not the Petersons.
“Jocelyn and I just said, ‘Ah the heck with it, let’s just run together’. We just kind of ran together and
dumped water on each other and kept each other cool and it was good.”
This year’s forecast is on the other end of the spectrum, something Peterson isn’t excited about.
“It’s horrible,” Mike said Friday night en route to Boston.
“The current forecast is 40 mm of rain and what looks like a headwind,” he said, adding there’s not much to do to prepare for such conditions.
“You hope the forecast changes,” he said laughing. “For us, after training in a P.E.I. winter, I’m hoping that we can stomach it.”
Mike said the thing he’s most looking forward to is being around the action.
“I just love how the city embraces the marathon. The vibe is just amazing. There’s an electric feeling all around Boston.”
This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Boston bombings, a tragedy that took three lives and injured hundreds more.
Peterson said he’s interested to see what the city does to commemorate the occasion.
“I think the whole Boston Strong thing has really been embraced since the bombing,” he said, referring to the slogan created following the bombings.
Each year, the marathon brings the city together with a show of support, and Peterson doesn’t expect anything different this time around.
“I think it will be even better,
to be honest. I think the whole city has just bonded even more,” he said. “I think it’s going to be fantastic, I’m really looking forward to the whole feeling of the marathon. It should be great.”
Boston marked the fifth anniversary of the deadly Boston Marathon bombings Sunday with solemn remembrances and charitable acts.
Democratic Mayor Marty Walsh and Republican Gov. Charlie Baker laid wreaths early in the morning at the spots along downtown Boylston Street where two bombs killed three spectators and maimed more than 260 others on April 15, 2013.
One wreath was laid by Baker in front of Marathon Sports as bagpipes played in the background. In another spot, the family of victims Martin Richard and Lu Lingzi were comforted by Walsh as another wreath was placed where the second bomb went off by the Atlantic Fish restaurant. Hundreds of silent people gathered to watch behind barricades.
People left bouquets of flowers, handwritten notes, candles and stuffed toys.
Both Baker and Walsh addressed families and survivors at a private ceremony inside the Boston Public Library.
“On April 15, 2013, our city changed forever but over the last five years, we have reclaimed hope. We have reclaimed the finish line and Boston has emerged with a new strength, a resilience rooted in love,” Walsh said.
Jane and Henry Richard, siblings of the youngest victim Martin Richard, and members of the family’s foundation, also spoke.
Henry Richard urged those listening to follow Martin’s message to “choose kindness and do more.”
The family’s foundation was founded in 2014 to connect young people with opportunities for volunteerism and community engagement.