My wife has a running friend who is volunteer team captain of the Maine contingent for the Boston Marathon. In early January, her friend sent out a Facebook message soliciting volunteers. Mary thought it would be fun to give something back at one of the elite marathons in the world, and asked if I was interested. I said “yes,” and consequently forgot about it.
About six weeks ago, emails began arriving, indicating that we were both in (Boston requires 9,000 volunteers supporting 30,000 runners, and they turn away many who want to be part of the volunteer brigade). We would spend Patriots’ Day in Boston, handing out water or Gatorade to runners streaming by Hydration Station 14 (at mile marker 14, in Wellesley).
Water from Maine fuels Boston’s runners.
Patriots’ Day is a big deal in New England, especially in Massachusetts. Boston.com and Roberto Scalese have a pretty darn good summation of the significance of the day if you live in the region:
Here in Massachusetts, Patriots’ Day is a big deal. More than 30,000 people gather in tiny Hopkinton and run towards Boston, some 26 miles away. The Red Sox play their only morning game every year. If the Celtics or Bruins have their act together, they’re just starting their playoff runs. Kids have the day off because Patriots’ Day is the start of April vacation week.
It’s a day of civic pride at the start of the spring. It’s a day to come together and congratulate each other for surviving another winter. It’s a day to drink. It’s a day to flirt.
Patriots’ Day is Boston Marathon Day.