The Twelve Days of the Virtual Boston Marathon Experience

We Bostonian runners call the Boston Marathon and the days leading up to the event Christmas in April. There was no Christmas in April this year and we don't know when and how it will happen again although as an eternal optimist I believe the comeback will be stronger than the setback!

This morning my dear friend and event planner, Rachel Glazer dropped off everything Team McManus needs to cheer on Team Emmett. Rachel's friend's son Emmett died last September at Boston Children's Hospital. Rachel raised over $7200 for Boston Children's Hospital. {Tom was part of the 2011 Miles for Miracles Team.} It was a socially distanced visit but the Spirit of the Boston Marathon danced in her eyes as we talked about preparations for her Virtual Race tomorrow.

I believe it's safe to say that runners and all associated with the Boston Marathon have gone through the stages of grieving for our beloved event and all that is happening with the pandemic. But even a pandemic can't snuff out the spirit of the Boston Marathon.

T.K. Skenderian and Conventures have created a 12 day Boston Mandarathon Virtual Expo Experience for runners and fans around the globe. You can experience the event which includes vendors and panels by following this link.

Although Boston and the events leading up to the Marathon were cancelled, we were able to convene our panel for Late Life Running and Whole Life Running via Zoom. It will air on 9/7 and 9/11 at 3 pm.

Late Life Running and Whole Life Running

Authors and running veterans Roger Robinson, Gail Waesche Kislevitz, Jonathan Beverly, and Mary McManus talk with Consecutive Boston Marathon Record Holder Bennett Beach about the benefits and joy that comes with even more miles. Moderated by historian and author Roger Robinson.

While the Boston Marathon usually means reunions with out of town friends or meeting up in person with Facebook friends for the first time, heading to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel to reunite with the 2009 Race for Rehab Team and cheer on this year's Race for Rehab Runners, enjoying the Expo and the unique ambiance on Boylston Street, this year's Virtual experience has given me the opportunity to reconnect with runner friends on Facebook and make new connections through friends of friends.

Instead of going to the panels at the Hynes Convention Center, we will tune into them on the website.

Jacqueline Hansen posted a screen shot of her Zoom panel with the Women's Running Pioneers Panel:


The Women’s Running Pioneers

A can’t-miss panel of running’s leading ladies who pushed through one barrier after another to put women’s running on the map. Julia Chase-Brand, who ran the Manchester Road Race in 1961, is joined by 1972 Boston Marathon Champion Nina Kuscsik, 1973 Champion Jacqueline Hansen, former marathon world record holder Cheryl Treworgy, Brazilian barrier-breaker Eleonora Mendonca, four-time Honolulu Marathon winner Patti Dillon, and three-time Boston Marathon winners Bobbi Gibb and Sara Mae Berman in a hilarious and inspiring retrospective. Moderated by journalist Barbara Huebner.

I was blessed to meet Jacqueline Hansen at the 2016 Hyannis Marathon Weekend and we became fast friends. She wrote the Foreword to my book, "Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance." I'm excited to hear what these pioneers have to say. I never tire of hearing their epic stories.

Last weekend, we ran the Becca Pizzi Virtual 5K.

I am excited for her presentation and reading from her book, "Feat on Feet" which we purchased last week at bib pick up.

Setting Big Goals with Becca Pizzi (Plus Children’s Book Reading)

The first woman to complete the World Marathon Challenge talks about her fearless pursuit of big goals, and reads her new children’s book, Becca’s Feat on Feet at 10:27.

There will be Meb, Bill Rodgers, Dave McGillivray, many other running greats and tips from nutritionists, coaches and injury prevention specialists.

Tomorrow morning, Team McManus will head out to Heartbreak Hill with #morecowbell, and gatorade, water, swedish fish and Rachel's sign to cheer her on to her 26.2 finish.

We will stay connected via Facebook with our runner friends, shop on line at the Expo and savor the 12 days of the Virtual Boston Marathon Experience. We are Boston Strong!

To be inspired by my journey from a wheelchair to the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and beyond be sure to visit my website at www.marymcmanus.com

My books are available on Amazon.

Good luck to all the runners! As Meb said, "Run to win. That doesn't mean being in first place but in getting the best out of yourself."

From my heart to yours
In health and wellness
Mary