Run, Run, Run, As Fast as You Can

Natural runners are a rare breed. I have always said that their muscles develop differently, their metabolism is naturally faster, and for some reason their body is built to look perfect in spandex. But every year, every weekend, there are opportunities for people who don't have those special muscles, that awesome metabolism, or that attractiveness in spandex to go out and run a race. There are fun runs, mile runs, 5Ks, 10Ks, 5 milers, 1/2 marathons, and full marathons. 

People run these all for different reasons. Some people are doing it to get fit. Others are doing it to donate to a special cause. And others are doing it to win. At my first 5K, I met a woman who was running her first 5K as well. She said to me, "Are you doing this for fun, or for the kill." I responded by saying, "I am just here for the experience." Another woman that I met had been running for over thirty years. She was surely in it for the kill. I watched kids take part in the earliest race of the day, the fun run, and then I watched more kids take part in the mile run. Even kids who had to walk the whole mile--did it. It was an extraordinary experience. So I can only imagine what people are feeling today at the Boston Marathon.

According to the Boston Athletic Association's website, the first Boston Marathon took place in 1897, and has moved several times. In the early years of the Boston Marathon, the length was 24.5 miles. In 1927, the race extended to 26 miles. 

Today marks the 113th Boston Marathon. 

Most marathons take place through out the year and people can register on their own to run in them. This includes half marathons as well. But for the Boston Marathon, one must qualify. It isn't enough to just want to run a marathon at some other point in the year, no someone must be in it for the kill, in order to qualify. 

In order to qualify, one must race in another race somewhere else that is considered a "qualifying race." At this race, a person must finish the race by a certain time determined by their age bracket. For example, according to the B.A.A. website, a male who is in the age bracket of 18-34 must finish in under 3 hr and 10 minutes, and a female in the same age bracket must finish in under 3 hr and 40 minutes. 

There are several age groups, and even two separate categories. The Boston Marathon doesn't discriminate against the handicapped, as it holds a Push Rim Wheelchair race as well. 

Approximately 25,000 people are set to race today--and they will be run, run, running as fast as they can.