If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon.
~Kathrine Switzer
As I arrived for my first marathon, I saw a sign that said: “The person who starts the race is not the same person who finishes the race.” I wondered who I would be once I crossed the historic Boston Marathon finish line. What would change? What moments would fuel my mind, body and spirit while running? What part of the 26.2 miles would stay in my soul forever?
The journey of a marathon starts long before the starting gun goes off. The voyage starts when you ask yourself a few questions. Can I complete a marathon? Do I even want to complete a marathon? What does it take to finish a marathon? For me, the motivation to run a marathon came in November 2015 while sitting around a table of 13 women in a New York City brownstone rented by iconic runner Kathrine Switzer. Kathrine is known not only for breaking barriers as the first woman to officially enter and run the Boston Marathon in 1967, but also for creating positive global social change for 50 years. Millions of women are now empowered by the simple act of running because of her fearlessness.
As each woman introduced herself, explaining why she was there and why she runs, I was surprised to learn that only two us had never run a marathon. I was a 15-year, two-mile-a-day runner with a couple of 5K races under my belt.
Kathrine inspired us that day with her dream to create 261 Fearless, a global nonprofit organization, to use running as a vehicle to empower and unite women globally. She asked us to get involved and launch the organization in our own cities and countries. It is hard to say “no” to Kathrine because she is the most amazing woman I have ever met. She is electric and gracious all rolled into one. After bonding with these 13 women from all over the world, I left New York City changed, wishing I could stay and run with my new friends and help Kathrine with 261 Fearless.
In late summer 2016, I received an e-mail from 261 Fearless asking women to apply for charity bibs to run in the 2017 Boston Marathon with Kathrine. It would be the 50th anniversary of her historic feat. My hands shook as I contemplated the decision, thinking there was no way I could run a marathon and yet deeply wanting to do it! Next thing I knew, my roommate from the New York City trip — the other non-marathoner — posted a video where she said in her southern drawl, “I’m doing this!” I opened the invitation, filled out the application and sent it in.
Nine months later, on April 17, 2017, as I walked toward the starting line in Hopkinton, my roommate was at my side for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. As we walked behind Kathrine with 125 other women (and a few men), we grabbed hands and said a prayer we would finish. The gun went off, and we started to run.
I felt great looking ahead at the colored hats and shirts of thousands of runners. The energy of the crowd swept me up for the first seven miles as I ran downhill and uphill with hundreds of people cheering me on. Then I started feeling the tightness in my legs, the slowing of my pace, and the reality that I had 19 more miles to go. I was not discouraged because I had trained well, but I knew it would take every ounce of tenacity to complete.
I was also running for the 100 people who donated $8,000 to my charity so I could run the Boston Marathon. I knew there was nothing to stop me from finishing that race even if I had to walk part of the time. The generosity of my donors fueled me in the doubtful moments. As I approached the beginning of Heartbreak Hill, a blind woman and her coach ran next to me on the left and a man with blade feet ran on my right. My spirit soared as I witnessed these two incredible individuals.
Heartbreak Hill was “Heartfelt Hill” for me because my son Thomas graduated from Boston College in 2014, and that was the last hill until his dorm. I loved that hill! Just as I ran down the hill onto the “Haunted Mile,” a flat part of the race in Newton, my husband and younger son hugged me. A mile later, a member from my company, Women TIES, and her sister-in-law, an Ironwoman I supported, hugged me and inspired me to finish the last few miles.
Down the hill and the big left turn onto Boylston Street, the crowd noise was louder than if the Boston Red Sox had just beaten the New York Yankees. I couldn’t believe how loud that crowd was and how many people stayed to cheer us on. The elite athletes had finished. Kathrine Switzer finished an hour before, at the age of 70, realizing her big dream. I didn’t feel like a charity runner when I heard that crowd. Someone called my name, and it was my friend Dawn. Miraculously, we had caught up to each other the last mile of the race. Was it fate? I say it was our prayers that helped us cross the finish line.
At the end of the race, I was happy and proud. During the race, I had tried to give back to the crowd as much as they gave to me. I stopped to take photos, danced for them, acknowledged them, and shook their hands. I gave hugs to people who held up a “Do You Need a Hug?” sign, slapped as many little girls’ hands as I could to make them happy, and slowed down to bask in the true love of Boston.
In the end, I realized how much people really care about each other. The nightly news doesn’t always remind us about the good in everyday America. I felt it that day. People do believe in each other. We want to love others. We show our love the best we can. We are there in service and support, from the youngest of us to the oldest.
I am changed forever by my family, the financial supporters who gave to my charity bib, and my new expansive Boston family. The road sign was right: I am not the same person as when I started the race. I’m a proud, female Boston Marathoner filled with love.
— Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham —