The vibes Pioneers Run Crew brought on Saturday were fire!! Running is an intimidating sport. It can make you think you have to be a certain body type, have the right gear, be a certain speed, and live somewhere safe or have $ for a treadmill or gym membership. Running is supposed to be inclusive and bring joy, make you feel worthy just the way and where you are.
After hearing about this event from Alison M. Desir's book "Running While Black," I began following the Pioneers Run Crew on Instagram. Alison talks a lot about the exclusivity of the sport. Races that require qualifying times, ridiculous registration fees, routes that intentionally avoid certain neighborhoods, and not seeing yourself reflected in photos, social media and marketing materials are not for me because they aren’t for every body.
When my in-laws shared with us that they were moving from Hong Kong to Boston last year, I thought maybe it would be possible to run the 26.TRUE Marathon one year so long as the Pioneers kept hosting. After some unfortunate news related to my brother-in-law's health, they wouldn't be coming home (to Baltimore) for a bit, we decided to plan some trips up north to visit them for Christmas and Spring Break.
I didn't notice right away that Spring Break this year aligned with the Boston Marathon and in turn with the 26.TRUE Marathon which is always held the Saturday prior. Upon discovering this, I signed up right away. One small issue was that I had 50-miler 2 weeks prior and was a bit worried that a marathon 2 weeks later might not be the wisest decision.
When the Pioneers sent out an email stating that due to the number of registrants, the City of Boston had asked them to make the community marathon a permitted race, they had to change the course. They weren't happy about it. A little history of the Pioneers Run Crew:
26.TRUE is an unsanctioned marathon (26.2 miles) specifically designed to amplify and celebrate the culture and diversity of the neighborhoods that make up the City of Boston. 26.TRUE is a tour of Boston - the real Boston - that highlights neighborhoods throughout the city and celebrates communities that are often overlooked during the Boston marathon weekend. We come together in defiance of history’s divisions to embrace old spaces in new ways and to run a marathon that is more than just a race.
Runners and volunteers of all ages, backgrounds, races, and paces - join us to participate in our one-of-a-kind marathon created to redefine what running in Boston can look and feel like.
Our City. Our Way.
Being new to Boston, I decided to take a look at the MBTA's T lines to see if I could take the train to the start on Saturday morning. Unfortunately, there weren't many trains that went in that direction. There was Rideshare, but I wasn't familiar enough to feel confident I wouldn't get lost. I decided to take an Uber from my in-laws. I woke up early after not sleeping well, which is per usual for the night before a race. Luckily, my brother-in-law made a fresh pot of coffee and I had a plain bagel ready to go. I was out the door by 5:50am and arrived at the Melnea A. Cass Recreation Center by 6:20am. I already had my race bib and so hung out, stretched, danced a little bit to the DJ spinning hip hop from the Red Bull truck. As more runners arrived, the energy was electrifying. Everyone was smiling and so happy to be there. The weather was lovely too - a crisp 45 degrees with cloud coverage.
The founders all had a chance to talk about the history of the race, the course, the logistics and then turned it over to Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune to express how happy she was that this event keeps growing. She even said it might just be her first marathon one day.
I made my way up to the balloon arch and at 7:25am, the first wave runners took off around Malcolm X Park. The course went right by his childhood home and towards Franklin Park, the city's largest green space, down the Southwest Corridor alongside the Latin Quarter in Jamaica Plain, before crossing back into Roxbury through the Black cultural hubs of Nubian Square and Grove Hall. We then ran down Blue Hill Ave and looped through Dorchester Center to the southern tip of the course in Mattapan. Heading north, we ran back through Franklin Park, along the golf course and nature center towards Malcolm X Park.
These running communities, race directors, neighborhoods, volunteers, runners, their families, and sponsors BROUGHT LOVE TO THE STREETS!! Cheer Stations were setup every 2 to 2-1/2 miles and were SPECTACULAR! They all had music, some had bubbles, water, snacks, fuel, incredible cheer squads, signs (like "EQUITY HAS ENDURANCE!"), smiles, and as the day went on ice sponges, cold buffs, Smart Water and ICE! The temps definitely warmed up mid-morning and I accepted any cold item that was offered. There were also bike marshals along the course almost constantly cheering and asking runners if we needed anything.
The best part was talking to other runners along the way. I don't wear headphones on races as I really enjoy being present and soaking in all of the elements of wherever I get to traverse through. This meant I not only had the chance to talk with runners, but I also got to witness some pretty amazing moments between runners and their supporters that were out along the course. Since this race was a first marathon for so many, it was so sweet to see family, friends, partners, and dogs cheering their loved ones on!
I ran just behind this woman, Ruth for most of the race. She had several friends cheering, her boyfriend, and a friend with a really cute puppy! I could feel how happy she was to have them along the course and that made me so happy.
Another couple of guys were running together and talking about training. One of them started talking to me and learned that it was one of their first marathon and also his wife was having a baby shower that same day. Both of their wives were on the course cheering them on at a McDonalds. We talked about other races, the ridiculousness of David Goggins, and New York City (which is where one of them lived, the other in Boston). At just about mile 9, the guy whose first marathon it was said, "if all marathons are like this, I'd definitely do it again." His friend said what I was thinking, "let's see how you feel at mile 20." Fortunately, I saw them towards the end and while they had slowed down, they both looked to be having fun!
A woman I met early on in the race was using this as a training run for her first trail ultra in the Berkshires. We talked about the trail running vs road running, the Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service (BURCS) and all of the crazy running we did during the pandemic to stay motivated. She ended up taking off.
Several runners were playing music and we sang, checked in on one another ("how are you feeling?") and several runners and volunteers screamed at me "I BELIEVE IN YOU!" because of my hat. I hope the message resonated and helped.
As the morning went on and the sun came out, the streets became more crowded with cars and sidewalks with people out enjoying a beautiful spring day. Some may have found dodging people frustrating, especially if they were racing, but since I was not, I thought it was fantastic. Seeing these neighborhoods wake up and welcoming us to tour their home ground. The vibes were unreal and with the first 80° day in Boston, the volunteers stepped it up even more to make sure 300 runners, including 100-first time marathoners (!!) crossed the finish line! Speaking of finish line, there was no cutoff time and every single runner broke the finish line tape 🏁
The music and volunteers grew louder at the Cheer Stations as I brought it home in the last few miles.
Kim and Fiona were texting me that they were near the finish line. I sent my location to Kim and as I turned the corner and saw them, I picked up my speed. They began to run with me and my legs knew the end was near. I let the momentum carry me across the finish line tape ... YES, I ran through FINISH LINE TAPE for the first time EVER!
This race wasn’t about me. it was about all of us, coming together, to keep the JOY in running!! I got to see the Boston that the Boston Marathoners don’t. I had many friends run it on Monday and am proud of each one of them. I know it wasn’t easy to get there and hope they feel super accomplished! For me, I am grateful to show up to any start line but especially to those that welcome and accept ALL!
Here are some of the faces that will always remind me of the 26.TRUE Marathon. Thank you, Pioneers Run Crew!!
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