It was my recovery goal dream, to run in the Boston Marathon. It took me over two years of hard training, every day to get to a fitness level required to make the qualifying time. I don’t think there is anything in my life that I have worked so hard for. I did make the qualifying time at the Newport Marathon and then again improving my time at the Mt Hood Marathon last summer and thus gained acceptance into the 2020 Boston Marathon.
I am an avid distance runner, I love the sport, it’s a big part of my life and is who I am. Perhaps the worst day of my life came when my GP diagnosed me with arthritis and I was told that I would probably soon need a hip replacement, and with such, I was told, you probably should not run anymore. These were the dark, times in my life and quite a contrast to receiving a letter from Boston Athletic Association certifying that I was accepted into the 2020 marathon. This was the happiest times of my life.
Although the 2020 marathon was delayed and then ultimately turned virtual, I did run it! with my brother Gary in Seattle instead of Boston. After certifying my time, the BAA mailed me my 2020 Race medal. At my last check up I presented Dr Pritchett with my 2017 Medal (as a proxy as my 2020 medal) as it had not arrived in the mail yet. I'll swap it next time I go up there.
I have run in the Boston Marathon 4 times, but this time was the most meaningful, as it was a celebration that i can still run!
Steve Mahoney , distance runner