Boston Marathon 2011-Update

        The 2011 Boston Marathon was an historic occasion in every sense and definition of the meaning. "It was one for the ages", as many internet sites and newspapers are saying . Each year, when the runners cross the starting line, they are continuing a tradition that was begun over a hundred years ago. However, the 2011 edition was a race that will be talked about for a very, very long time. The race registration filled up in eight hours. The weather was abnormal because it was both warm (86 degrees) and there was a tailwind. It is usually cool and there is usually a pretty strong headwind. And as if all of this was not enough, the results of the race will be argued and debated about for many, many years. The male winner of the race was Geoffrey Mutai, a runner from Kenya. He completed the course in 2:03:02. This is the fastest a marathon has ever been run on one of the toughest marathon courses in the world. The female winner of race was Caroline Kilel, also from Kenya. She completed the course and the battle for first at the end in 2:22:36. She was closely followed by Desiree Davila, who is from America and completed the course with the fastest time ever run by an American woman for the marathon distance. She has been flying under the radar for quite sometime, but I'm afraid she won't be able to do so now.

      However, the runner that was most closely watched by the great folks here at Hines Terrace Herald was the American, Ryan Hall. It has been an odd year for him. He ran well at Boston last year, but then seemed to disappear and then when he did appear he appeared tired and sickly. He then pulled out of the Chicago Marathon and then quit his team, the prestigious Mammoth Track Club, citing fatigue and sickness as his reasons. He then called on God and his dad to be his coaches and disappeared again completely changing the way he trains. He then raced a pretty descent half marathon in Houston, but still was running slower than his American record time at this distance. He then emerged at the heavily discussed NYC Half about a month ago and finished a dismal 21st with a time that was far from encouraging. Fans and naysayers wrote him off and said he was far past his prime. There were calls for his retirement and some calls for even worse. I will even say that there were some harsh things said in haste by certain members of  the Dark contingency here in Macon. We were waiting for the Boston Marathon to see what Ryan could really do or not do. And we were not left wanting.
      Ryan Hall ran as one inspired.  He led most the race for most of the first half. He would fade when the surges were irrational and then he would battle back to the lead pack. As a spectator, you could see the enjoyment on his face during the first half, but you could also see his desire, agony, and concentration as he finished. And finish he did, he finished in fourth place with a time of 2:04:58. This is the fastest an American, natural born or not, has ever run a marathon.He had mostly doubters, but he blew them away. The letsrun.com crowd was pacified for about 30 seconds.
     However, even there many folks said his time shouldn't count because of the tailwind. They said he is still washed up because he can't win. They have found every way they can think of to discredit his accomplishments. He had failed them again. However, to most folks, he made them proud to be both Americans and runners. The chanting of USA could be heard over the announcers of the race. Runners of all abilities will toe the line and pretend they are Ryan or Desiree at their local 5K's now. At least, I will. I want to run inspired. I know others who desire this as well. Why run any other way?

Congrats, Desiree. Congrats, Ryan. You made us proud. Very Proud.

You made the $4.99 fee to watch the race, the best money that I've spent in awhile,
       David