Advertisement 1

Local runners honour Boston

Article content

RENFREW - Last week's horrific events at the Boston Marathon united many in sorrow and anger, none more so than the world's running community.

The marathon itself is an annual mecca for runners, so when two bombs exploded near the finish line, killing three and injuring 183, it was a blow felt across the globe.

The Ottawa Valley's running community felt it keenly too, as some of its members regularly head to Boston to take part. Some were there this year and witnessed the events first hand.

On Saturday morning in downtown Renfrew, some two dozen runners and walkers took part in a five kilometre Run for Peace and Freedom, to commemorate those who perished and were injured in the Boston Marathon bombing and its aftermath.

Following a moment of silence, the mix of runners and walkers assembled in front of the Renfrew Post Office on Raglan Street and crossed over to head down Renfrew Street to Bonnechere Street, then Opeongo to Airth, looped down Centennial to Wade and back to Airth to Raglan, head towards Barnet Boulevard to Sixth Street and back onto Raglan to head back downtown.

Runners wore their Boston Marathon jerseys, or sweaters with the Boston Bruins logo, and one carried the flag of the NHL team. All of it was a show of solidarity for both the city of Boston and runners everywhere.

Organizer Colleen Berry, who has competed in the marathon in the past, said this event was to remember those who died and were hurt in the explosions, and the police officer who was killed in the shoot out with the suspects later that week, as well as to celebrate the fact local runners who were there this year returned safely.

"We all know why we're here," she said to the runners who gathered inside Valley Source for Sports on Raglan Street just before they hit the streets.

"We're here to commemorate the lives lost, and those whose lives will be changed forever."

Berry said asked everyone to picture that day. Those who take part in the Boston Marathon are committed, dedicated and disciplined, having trained for many months to be ready for this event. At the finish line, their family and friends, all of them proud, wait to celebrate their accomplishments of completing the race of a lifetime.

"That runner is nearing the end, and sees that finish line," she said. They are struggling with every step, at the end of their strength, yet can see the finish, and are spurred on forward, thinking of the celebration which will happen in moments.

Then, all of that is torn away by the explosion.

"The concussion knocks you down within sight of the finish," Berry said. Everyone is panicking, and you don't know where your loved ones are, only seeing smoke and dust.

"Nothing is going to be the same."

Among those taking part in the memorial run were several who were in the marathon at the time. Whitewater Region resident Bob Bobeldijk was a mere 200-300 metres from finishing his fifth Boston Marathon when the bombs went off. Beachburg's Dr. Alison Seely had finished her run eight minutes before the explosions.

"We appreciate the fact you are all here," Berry said, noting while she has run in the marathon herself, she didn't do it this year. However, she, like many others, watched it unfold on television.

"My stomach is still in knots over what happened."

Yet, Berry said they can't let this terrible event take away their love of running, nor of taking part in marathons like this one in Boston. She said they have to keep moving on beyond this tragedy.

"You have one life to live, so don't stop loving it," she said. "Don't let what happened stop you from pursuing your passion. That's what defines us and why we are here."

Stephen Uhler is a Daily Observer multimedia journalist 

stephen.uhler@sunmedia.ca

Article content
Advertisement 2
Advertisement
Article content
Article content
Latest National Stories
    News Near Pembroke
      This Week in Flyers