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As 25,000 take to the streets to fulfill New Year’s resolutions and to keep up with long-standing running meetings, it’s not hard to find inspirational stories.
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They come from the young and the young at heart.
Saturday’s group will include 89-year-olds Alan Rushforth and Vi Taylor, taking part in the 10 kilometer event.
For both, the return of the atmosphere of the weekend is long overdue.
It’s an early birthday present of sorts for Rushforth, who turns 90 on Monday.
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Rushforth says he has always tried to live healthy and exercise regularly, but he didn’t take up running until he was 69 and has been part of the event ever since.
He also completed the Boston Marathon as a 76-year-old in 2008.
“I just wanted to get out,” he said of getting his start in the sport.
“I was hanging out with people who were talking about their medicines and hip replacements, so I learned to run. I went to the Running Room, started taking different courses and extending the distances. It’s amazing the people you meet.”
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Rushforth says it was difficult to keep motivated throughout the COVID-19 shutdown, but he’s proud of battling through with the help of early morning boot camps and frigid winter walks.
He had originally signed up for the half marathon, but was slowed down by a non-COVID-19 setback in recent weeks.
“I’m going to be a bit disappointed in my time, because it’s the first time I’ve walked,” he said. “I ran a half marathon 18 months ago and I would like to get back into it.”
His son, Adrian, and granddaughter, Sara, will be along for the trek.
Taylor, meanwhile, continues to compete in memory of her husband, Allan.
The two were Race Weekend spectators in 2004, promising themselves they would take part the following year.
Three weeks after that pledge, however, Allan suffered an accidental death.
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“We’ve been doing this in his memory ever since, the family members didn’t want to stop,” she said. “It was very emotional at first.”
Taylor took part in the virtual event for the past two years, but is looking forward to seeing fellow runners and walkers and the crowd that lines the course.
“It has been brutal with this COVID,” she said. “It’s so great to see it live again.”
As a runner/walker over the years, she has turned some heads along the way.
“On my bib, it says ‘Viola’. I get my name said a lot of different ways, Violet, Violin, Violo, but they cheer me as I go along. It’s really fun. It’s amazing the support that’s out there and the music. It just gives you a boost. It’s a great event, with so much time spent in organizing.”
