4-16-2019

MARATHON 2019

TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2019

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY

YEAR XLVII. VOLUME XCVI. ISSUE VII SOPHIE PARK/ DFP STAFF

Family, friends cheer BAA hosts first Marathon Fan Fest

BY JOEL LAU

DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

While Massachusetts may contribute the most runners to the Boston Marathon — with 4,758 competitors hailing from the Bay State in 2019 — the annual race still attracts contestants and their families from across both the country and the world.

As the Boston Marathon is widely considered one of the most prestigious and competitive races in the world, simply qualifying for the race is a celebrated accomplishment for many. In recent years, the race has brought in around 30,000 athletes and some 500,000 spectators to cheer for them, according to the Boston Athletic Association.

This year, the marathon’s official qualifying time for men ages 18–34 was 3:00:08, while the time for women in the same age group was 3:30:08, according to the BAA. Elena Lopez, 29, came up from Baltimore, Maryland, with

a group of family and friends to support three runners: her fiancé, John Hunyara; her brother, Alejandro Lopez Ortega; and her close friend, Maxime Chevée.

Lopez said all three competitors were ecstatic to qualify for the marathon this year.

“They were so excited. For John, this is the second time that he runs this marathon. For Maxime and Alejandro, it was the first time,” Lopez said. “And they were just so excited for it. If you’re training for a marathon, this is your dream — to qualify for Boston.”

Lopez said each of the three runners followed an intense training regimen to prepare for Monday’s race and that the entire family did what they could to support them both before and during the marathon.

“The training is a lot of time, going for long runs in the weekends and during the week, going out for short runs before they CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

BY EVELYN BERGMAN DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

The Boston Athletic Association hosted its first Marathon Fan Fest over the weekend for competitors and fans of the Boston Marathon.

The events leading up to the Patriots Day race began on Friday afternoon and continued through Sunday evening, as Boston locals and international visitors alike took part in the festivities.

The Fan Fest was held in Copley Square, just a minute or so walk from the marathon finish line. Activities at the festival included musical performances, races for local students and meet and greets with former marathon champions.

Meg Reilly, director of communications for BAA, said the festival was designed to be a place for spectators and participants to enjoy the weekend leading up to the race.

“Boston Marathon Fan Fest is a place where everyone can relax and soak in the spirit of the Boston Marathon over the weekend,” Reilly said.

Fans and runners from all over the United States and across the world came to participate in the festivities. Mark Wu, a 65-year-old from Taiwan, came to Boston for the weekend to run in the marathon alongside his blind friend, who he will be guiding along the race.

“I’m very excited, even though we have not done any training for it, but I trust that we will start walking once we get too tired to run,” Wu said.

Some festival-goers were returning to celebrate marathon weekend, but others were experiencing the marathon festivities for the first time. Betsy Roberts, 48, and Thomas Anderson, 47, traveled from Chesapeake, Virginia, to see the race for the first time this year.

Their daughter is a freshman at Boston University this year, Anderson said.

“Neither of us have seen the marathon before, but it is a fun way to familiarize ourselves with Boston culture and take advantage of the warm weather,” he said.

Roberts said she hopes that par-

ticipating in the weekends events will show her daughter, Kate, the importance of participating in local events.

“We want Kate to know that it is important to participate in the local culture of anywhere you live, even if you don’t particularly like sports or whatever,” Roberts said. “And this is just a fun thing to do together as a family on a Saturday afternoon.”

Joshua Brown, a 31-year-old South Boston native, volunteered at the festival and said he wants to continue the excitement of the marathon tradition into his adulthood.

“I love Boston, and I’m always looking for opportunities to get involved in the community,” Brown said. “Growing up, the weekend before the marathon was always such a good time, and as an adult I don’t want to lose that sense of excitement and suspense.”

During the Fan Fest on Saturday, young families and children populated Copley Square as they played outdoor games such as cornhole.

In front of Trinity Church CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

RUN TERRIERS, RUN, 3

WORKING TOGETHER, 8

UPSET CITY, 9

PARTY ON, 11

We talked to two BU students who hit the 26.2-mile course this year.

Achilles International Boston assists athletes with disabilities in their races.

Men’s lacrosse upsets No. 2 Loyola University Maryland 11-8.

No one is too cool or uncool to throw down on Marathon Monday.

2 MARATHON

Lawrence Cherono, Worknesh Degefa take home Boston titles

BY NICK TELESMANIC DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Patriots Day began in Boston this year with bouts of rain, cloudy skies and a cold breeze — yet Lawrence Cherono and Worknesh Degefa powered through, racing from Hopkinton to Copley Square to win the men’s and women’s races of the 123rd Boston Marathon, respectively.

Cherono, of Kenya, clocked in a time of 2:07:57, narrowly defeating Ethiopian runner Lelisa Desisa (2:07:59) by a matter of seconds. Degefa, also of Ethiopia, won the women’s division more comfortably, clocking in a time of 2:23:31 — 42 seconds ahead of second place.

After the race and trophy presentation, Cherono said in a television interview he was especially focused ahead of the Boston Marathon, one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors.

“I was so focused because I’ve never won a major marathon,” Cherono said in the interview. “I was so determined to win.”

Cherono, 30, has a couple of marathon wins under his belt in Seville, Prague, Honolulu and twice in Amsterdam. Boston is Cherono’s first victory that is part of the World Marathon Majors.

“I’m so happy,” Cherono said.

“I’m so grateful. I’m so thankful for the people of Boston.”

Degefa, 28, finished almost a minute before second-place finisher Edna Kiplagat of Kenya

Bertha Vazquez, 40, runs toward people reaching out for high-fives during the race.

(02:24:13) and three and a half minutes over the 2018 champion Des Linden (2:27:00), who came in fifth place. For the last 20 miles of the race, Degefa separated from the pack in the lead.

“I’m happy that I won, plus I ran by myself, so I feel double winning,” Degefa told WBZ-TV through a translator.

Degefa has won other endur-

ance races in the past, including the Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half Marathon in 2013, the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon in 2015 and the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon in 2016.

Degefa ref lected on her experience running many races.

“I have run so many races,” Degefa told WBZ-TV through a translator. “This is the biggest

SERENA YU/ DFP STAFF

I’ve seen, big crowd. So I felt I ran with all the crowd.”

As these top racers finished, Boston Mayor Martin Walsh congratulated the winners on Twitter.

In addition to these two winners, two winners were also crowned for the wheelchair divisions of the marathon.

Da niel Roma nchuk, 20,

became the first American since 1993 to win the Boston Marathon men’s wheelchair division. On the women’s end, Manuela Schar won the women’s wheelchair race with a time of 1:34:19.

T he B oston At h let ic Association called Romanchuk “one of the fastest rising stars in wheelchair racing” prior to the race. The Maryland native finished third last year in Boston, but this year he took home the top prize with a time of 1:21:36.

Romanchuk said he knew he would be able to finish the race as long as everything went well for him.

“I knew it was possible, it’s a matter of just everything coming together,” Romanchuk said in a post-race interview on TV. “Glory to God for the opportunity to race today.”

Schar, of Switzerland, currently holds the world record of 1:28:17, which she broke in the 2017 Boston Marathon. Schar ref lected on how the conditions looked bad prior to the race but became better as the race went on.

“I was just really happy that the weather turned out to be actually really nice,” Schar said.

“When we drove to that starting line, it looked really, really bad, and I was worried because last year was still in our heads, and I had a really bad experience last year. Today I would say [was] unfinished business.”

Marathon spectators show up for 2019 athletes BAA fest CHEER, FROM PAGE 1 get to work, it’s like another job,” Lopez said. “We just support them with their long hours training and everything and just push them forward. They are very motivated themselves, so just being here and supporting them and cheering them.”

Lopez said her runners represented three different nationalities, as Chevée is French, Lopez Ortega is Spanish and Hunyara is American.

Patrizia Russo, 43, and Lina Fernandes, 53, f lew in from Toronto, Canada, and hoisted a two-foot tall cardboard cutout of their cousin Michael Auciello’s face as they cheered for him. Russo said Auciello had failed to qualify for Boston for several years before he posted a fast enough time at the Ottawa Marathon.

“He’s been trying for the last four years,” Russo said. “He was just so happy and relieved and just really excited [when he qualified]. It was priceless.”

Ferna ndes sa id Auciel lo trained extremely hard to make it to the Boston Marathon and that this year was his final attempt.

“He trained for 13 weeks, and he ran any where from 85 to 100 kilometers a week,” Fernandes said. “It was pretty intense, and before qualifying, he had tried qualifying three other times, so this was the last chance — he was giving him one more chance to try — and he did it.”

Russo said both she and Fernandes were very proud of

ALI AUDET/ DFP STAFF

People on the sidelines of the race supporting the marathon runners by holding up homemade signs for encouragement.

what Auciello accomplished and that Auciello had taught them a lot about motivation and perseverance.

“I definitely think the one word to describe him would be perseverance because he had it right through,” Russo said.

“There were times where he almost wanted to give up, not qualifying, but he did it. Quitting wasn’t an option for him, and he showed us all that if you really want something, you can really achieve it.”

Veronica McMenemy, 71, traveled to Boston from Dublin,

Ohio, to cheer on her husband Jerry McMenemy while he ran his 12th consecutive Boston Marathon. She lofted a pole into the air covered with clear packing tape and holding several partially def lated blue and yellow balloons as she cheered for the runners.

“I found that standing this many people deep to see your person pass, they can’t find you,” McMenemy said. “So I hold this way high up in the air, and he can see me. … You hold them high up, and you try to elbow your way to the front of the gate, and your person can see you.”

McMenemy said she has waved her balloon construction in the air every year to support her husband’s efforts in Boston.

This year’s balloons “didn’t look so good,” she noted, because they had def lated overnight.

Lopez said if she could speak to the runners who might be struggling to finish the marathon, she would say just one bit of encouragement.

“This is your dream, so just keep pushing,” Lopez said. “The finish line is right there, and you’re going to feel so good when you cross that finish line.”

MARATHON, FROM PAGE 1 Saturday, festival goers danced to a performance by the band Dalton and the Sheriffs, enjoyed free games of Jenga and snapped pictures in front of the BAA sign displayed in the center of the square.

Middle schoolers from clubs along the marathon route played relay games and raced up and down Boylston Street, which was adjacent to the festivities. Other children swarmed around a life-sized Lego replica of the Boston Marathon trophy brought by Legoland Discovery Center and were given guidance as they made their own Lego creations.

On Saturday afternoon, former Boston Marathon champions Bill Rodgers and Joan Benoit Samuelson hosted a meet and greet. They shared insider tips and tricks to conquering the race and crossing the finish line successfully with marathon fans and runners.

The day before, on Friday, the Fan Fest hosted a live clinic to rile up last-minute enthusiasm and anticipation for Monday’s race. Former Boston Marathon champion Meb Keflezighi gave quick tips on how to prepare to run the marathon.

Jackie Thibodeau, a 51-year-old festival attendee from Bellingham, said she enjoyed the weekend and was impressed with the activities the BAA put on.

“I’m really glad I came out for the weekend,” Thibodeau said. “The games and activities were clearly designed for families with young kids, and it has been great to be outside, in the fresh air, listening to the live music with the kids after such a long winter.”

MARATHON 3

BUPD, BPD take measures to keep student celebrations safe

BY SOFIA SARIC

DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Boston University students took part in marathon festivities while BU’s police and staff largely focused on safety precautions Monday, as the final stretch of the Boston Marathon cuts through South Campus and Kenmore Square.

Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore and BU Police Department Chief Kelly Nee sent a school-wide email Friday that warned about theft, alcohol safety and structural risks surrounding crowded rooftop and decks for Marathon Monday.

Nee said BUPD takes extra precautions with increased patrols during the holiday.

“Many students celebrate along the marathon route, and it’s a great day,” Nee said.“We have to be careful of students who may overindulge, so keeping everyone safe is our priority.”

Nee said BUPD cautions against overcrowding on porches and decks or watching the marathon from unauthorized roofs.

“I have witnessed the results of collapse, and the injuries can be very serious,” Nee said. “Also many roofs are not permitted for occupancy, so please don’t go on roofs to watch the marathon unless they have authorized permission. Police will remove you from the roof for your safety.”

Nee said BUPD would assist Boston Police in covering the gap area behind West Campus to ensure campus safety.

“If you see someone in trouble, please call us,” Nee said.

“Take advantage of the ‘Good Samaritan’ policy, and look out for each other.”

William Gross, Boston’s 42nd police commissioner, released a statement on April 8 to Bostonarea college and university students that asked spectators to be aware of their surroundings and refrain from drinking or smoking marijuana in public, congregating in prohibited areas and bringing backpacks to the marathon.

Loesje Ophuis, 24, of Cambridge, is escorted by a Boston Police officer during the marathon on Monday.

“In conjunction with partners, both public and private, the Boston Police Department has developed a safety and security plan for the events to ensure both athletes and spectators who participate feel safe,” Gross said in the statement. “... The City of Boston takes pride in this event, and we ask that you to play a role in our effort to ensure that we are a shining example of good sportsmanship, pride and most of all resilience.”

The Massachusetts State Police deployed about 7,000 enforcement personnel for the marathon, according to The Boston Globe, which included their four helicopters, an undisclosed number of plainclothes officers in the crowd, uniformed officers and members of the National Guard. The police also placed cameras along the route.

Addy Codispoti, a senior in College of Communication, said the presence of police along the marathon route made the race feel safe.

“I think the checkpoints make it pretty safe, and there is a fair amount of them,” Codispoti said. “[Police] are everywhere.”

There were many checkpoint areas along the Boston Marathon path with at least six around South Campus and Kenmore Square.

Officers searched purses and backpacks for contraband at each checkpoint.

Candace Lombardi, a senior in the Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, said the race felt safer than in previous years.

“We felt very safe,” Lombardi said. “I actually wasn’t concerned at all.”

The Massachusetts Emergency

SOPHIE PARK/ DFP STAFF

Management Agency partnered with the Boston Athletic Association to send out important public safety and emergency information about the race. Runners and spectators could access the information on the phone application Massachusetts Alerts, which is a communication tool used by MEMA. This year was the 123rd Boston Marathon, which is a 26.2 mile course that starts in Hopkinton and finishes on Boylston Street in Boston. The marathon, whose principal sponsor is John Hancock Financial Services, is the oldest annual marathon in the world.

The marathon always takes place on the third Monday of April, which coincides with Patriots Day in Massachusetts.

Pre-race estimates predicted about 1 million people would attend the race along with 30,000

runners and 10,000 volunteers, according to The Boston Globe.

Worknesh Degefa of Ethiopia won the women’s division of the 2019 Boston Marathon in her first attempt at the race with in 2:23:31 and Lawrence Cherono of Kenya won the men’s race in 2:07:57. He won the race by only two seconds, with Lelisa Desisa in second place.

Manuela Schar of Switzerland won her second Boston Marathon title in the women’s wheelchair division in 1:34:19. Daniel Romanchuk of the United States became the youngest ever winner of the men’s wheelchair race and is the first American man to win the division since 1993. He finished the marathon in 1:21:36.

Lombardi said it was a fun experience to be at the finish line as people finished the race.

“I ran the 10K, so I am familiar with it, but there are so many more people,” Lombardi said.

Becca Buchholz, a junior in COM, said she enjoyed how the city joins together for the race.

“It’s fun to see everyone cheering on everyone,” Buchholz said.

“One of our friends, [Shannon Brooker], was running it, and when she came down, the people around us started cheering for her.”

Buchholz said Marathon Monday is a major party day but also a BU tradition.

“We don’t have a football team, so it’s like the tailgating aspect that only really happens for us today,” Buchholz said.

The university sponsored an alcohol-free BU Cheer Section in South Campus from noon to 2 p.m. The area, located at 518 Park Drive, featured free bagels and water, Terrier rally towels and raffle gift cards from the BU Barnes and Noble.

Carleen Wenner, a senior in College of Arts and Sciences, said Marathon Monday is a very fun, albeit long day.

“It was great,” Wenner said. “It took me all four years [of school] to finally make it down to the race, and it was my first time at a finish line, which was so cool.”

BU students run 2019 marathon after months of preparation

BY ALEX LASALVIA

DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Ever y year, a number of Boston University students take on the long and challenging process of training for, qualifying for and ultimately running the Boston Marathon. We spoke to two BU students who took the 26.2-mile trek on Monday about why they ran and how they got to be student marathoners.

Ben Garcia Ben Garcia, a junior in the College of Communication, ran his first Boston Marathon and his second marathon ever on Monday after qualifying for the race back in September. He finished with a time of 3:23:59.

Garcia said running a marathon has always been a goal for him.

“I’ve kind of always looked up to the marathon,” Garcia said.

“My dad used to do marathons, so yeah, kind of got that in my

head. And then it just came down to training and stuff.”

Garcia said that, in a way, his marathon training started his freshman year of high school — when he first started running. He said his most intensive training came as he approached his qualifying run in September.

Qualifying for the Boston Marathon gets tougher ever y year, and for the sixth year in a row runners who met qualifying times were turned away due to too many athletes meeting the time, according to Runner’s World.

For this year’s race, runners had to be almost five minutes faster than the qualifying time — 3:05:00 for men aged 18-34 and 3:35:00 for women within that age range — to make it into the race.

His training for the Boston Marathon was atypical, he added.

“For the qualifying one, it was pretty consistent [for] a few

months, running like 50 miles a week,” Garcia said. “Just like a couple of days a week for the past, like, six weeks, I’ve been doing marathon-type training, like long runs and stuff.”

Garcia’s plan for after the marathon is to get a lot of well-deserved rest.

“After a marathon the name of the game is just to relax and not moving,” Garcia said. “I’m sure it’ll be tough to walk, so just basically relaxing, probably for the next week. Ubering every where I go, probably.”

Melissa Stuart Melissa Stuart, a junior in the Questrom School of Business, ran her first Boston Marathon on Monday, finishing with a time of 3:49:47. This was the third marathon she has run, the first two being in the hopes of qualifying for Boston — a goal she’s had since first coming to BU. “My senior year when I got

into BU I was like, OK, maybe I’ll run the Boston Marathon before I graduate, that’d be a fun thing,” Stuart said. “Then after my freshman year, watching the marathon, I was sold. I was like, I have to do it, this is happening.”

Immediately after her first Marathon Monday at BU, Stuart signed up for a marathon in October of the following year.

After not having a fast enough time to qualify, she signed up for another race in May of her sophomore year.

“I was dead set on qualifying that time. It was my second try, and I thought I had it in me,” Stuart said. “And that was a really, really good race, so that was the race that I qualified, which was amazing. And yeah, the rest is history, and here I am today.”

Stuart said her training for the marathon involved slowly increasing her running distance

until about a month before the race.

“You start with a warm run of like 10 to 12 miles, and slowly you build that up so that your longest run is any where between 18 to 22 miles. My longest run for this is 21 miles,” Stuart said. “After about a month to three weeks before the race, you start to taper, which is where you cut back on mileage a lot because you really want fresh legs on race day.”

Stuart said that, overall, the Boston Marathon was an amazing experience.

“The whole time I was thinking about how these amazing runners like Des Linden and Jordan Hasay were on the same ground that I was on, just you know, a couple hours before me,” Stuart said. “… I just did the same thing they did. I’m so proud that I finished, and I am so honored to have been a part of such a historic and prestigious race.”

4 MARATHON

Marathon bombing memorial set for summer opening

BY JOEL LAU

DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

The memorial to the victims of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings should be finished this summer, the project’s artist said, more than a year after the memorial was planned to be unveiled on the fifth anniversary of the attacks in April 2018.

Marking the exact locations near the marathon finish line along Boylston Street where two bombs were detonated six years ago, the memorial commemorates the three people who died in the 2013 attacks, according to The Boston Globe.

Those people are 23-year-old Lingzi Lu, a Boston University graduate student studying statistics, 8-year-old Martin Richard and 29-year-old Krystle Campbell.

The memorial will be split into two parts and feature rough-hewn granite pillars demarcating where each victim died, according to the Globe, with Campbell’s pillar at the site of the first bombing outside of Marathon Sports and Lu’s and Richard’s pillars joined together at the second site outside of Atlantic Fish Company.

Each pillar will be circled by a bronze ring describing how each victim died and concluding with an excerpt, according to the Globe.

Campbell’s quote was written by relatives and a local poet and reads, “All we have lost is brightly lost.” Lu’s and Richard’s quote reads, “Let us climb, now, the road to hope.”

Additionally, each marker will be surrounded by four light pillars — eight in total — that are 21 feet tall and made of white, frosted glass wreathed in a bronze lattice design, according to the Globe. The pillars will be flanked by cherry trees that will bloom annually around the anniversary of the bombings.

The memorial will also include two bronze bricks with the names and badges of officers who died as a result of the manhunt for the bombing’s perpetrators, according to the Globe. Those officers are Sean Collier, a 27-year-old MIT police officer of Somerville, and Dennis Simmonds, a 28-year-old Boston Police officer.

Pablo Eduardo, a Bolivian sculptor, designed and is making the sculpted elements of the memorial at a foundry in Chelsea, according to the Globe.

Eduardo said in a City press release announcing the project in April 2017 he hopes the final memorial will be able to fully represent both the city of Boston and the victims it memorializes.

“It is humbling to have been chosen to create a work of art that will honor the victims of the 2013 Boston Marathon attack,” Eduardo said. “Art is a powerful vehicle for remembrance and healing, and my goal is for this art to embody the spirit of those we lost and the spirit of the city they loved.”

Stone for Campbell’s pillar was

sourced from Spectacle Island in Boston Harbor while material for Richard’s pillar was procured near his home in Franklin Park, according to the Globe.

BU spokesperson Colin Riley said the university donated granite for Lu’s pillar in memory of the former student. He added the particular stone they chose was only available in “reclaimed form.”

While BU was unable to fulfill the City’s original request for a suitable granite block mined on campus, Riley said, a contractor was still able to find a fitting stone for the memorial — a lavender granite from the Cape Ann and Rockport area that is no longer commercially quarried.

Riley said the stone used for Lu’s memorial originally comes from the Longfellow Bridge, which spans the Charles River near Massachusetts General Hospital. When stone was removed during the bridge’s recent refurbishment, a donor noticed the stone and contacted the university.

“The Longfellow Bridge comes over a short distance from the campus,” Riley said, “and it’s sort of connected to that — it crosses the Charles, and that’s a good connection to BU.” Allston resident Nicole Cember, 24, said she appreciates the design of the memorials though noted she thinks it could do a little more to explain the events of the bombings.

“I think the design is very nice, it

GOOGLE EARTH

An overview of Boylston Street near the marathon finish line, the area in which two bombs were detonated in 2013, killing three people and injuring more than 260.

seems thoughtful,” Cember said. “I feel like more can be on the actual act of running the marathon. It looks nice, … but I think it could be a little more substantial.”

Jackie Ko, 23, of Allston, said she likes the design of the memorials, especially their placement near the end of the marathon route.

COMMUNITY

“I think it was good. I think it would be nice to commemorate them,” Ko said. “I feel if there was a plaque there, it would be a nice reminder, as every year they go through that finish line, they’ll think about it as well. … I like the touch of the Japanese cherry blossoms.”

66-year-old completes 30th marathon on Boston’s course

BY MICHELLE BRANDABUR DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

For Darlene Corkrum, a 66 year-old runner from Seattle, Monday’s Boston Marathon was both just another marathon and, at the same time, a special marathon. It was Corkrum’s 30th lifetime marathon and her sixth and final peg in the Abbott World Marathon Majors.

Corkrum, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Virginia Mason Medical Center, said she has been an avid marathon runner since her 40th birthday, when she decided to challenge herself with a new goal of running a marathon.

“For some reason 40 seemed like a rea lly old number,” Corkrum said. “I thought about training and running a marathon because it just sounded awesome.”

Three weeks before turning 40 in 1990, Corkrum said she ran the Portland Marathon in Oregon.

“It seemed like a counter to the fact that I was turning 40,” she said.

Kerri Corkr um, Darlene Corkrum’s niece, said watching her aunt achieve her marat hon- r u n n i n g g oa l s wa s incredible, though unsurprising.

“As far back as I can recall she has been determined and energetic,” Kerri Corkrum said.

“Although the number of marathons doesn’t surprise me, what I think is remarkable is that she

COURTESY OF DARLENE CORKRUM

Darlene Corkrum and marathon legend Joan Benoit Samuelson at an Abbott World Marathon Majors event on Saturday.

started running marathons at the age of 40 and has done that many since then. When more people are slowing down, she’s out there running marathons.”

Jason Corkr um, Darlene Corkrum’s son and a Boston University alumnus, said his mother always has a positive attitude and drive.

“My mom has always been one of those people who can set her mind to something and just go

out in the world and accomplish it,” Jason Corkrum said. “It’s a rare and enviable quality.”

For most of her 30 marathons, Darlene Corkrum said she has had a running partner who has helped keep her attitude high.

That partner is Stephanie A xelrod, who said she met Darlene Corkrum through Team in Training — an organization that trains people for endurance sports, such as marathon

running, and raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

A xelrod spoke about the importance of finding a partner to train and race with.

“Having a running partner has made me continue running,” Axelrod said. “It is very doable to run a marathon by yourself because you are not by yourself.

In Boston, I am one of 30,000 runners, so you are not alone out there. But you are alone when you are training.”

As Darlene Corkrum completed more marathons, she said she continued to learn more about the community of runners that come together during each race.

“Marathons have a ‘wow’ factor for people in all walks of life,” she said. “There is something special about running, the endurance, endorphins and achievement. It is a special community.”

After completing 19 marathons, Darlene Corkrum said she told her husband, “I don’t want to stop running at 19” because “I don’t like that number.”

“It sounded like an odd number,” she added, “and I needed to at least run 20 marathons.”

After that, she said her husband began researching international marathons that she could run.

It was during her time at the Berlin Marathon that Darlene Corkrum said she discovered the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a series of six of the largest and

best-known marathons in the world, including New York City, Berlin, Chicago, Tokyo, London and Boston.

“After r unning Berlin, I decided I really wanted to do this,” she said. “I don’t know if I really thought I was going to do all six, but it has been something that has kept me going.”

Darlene Corkrum noted she was particularly excited to be running such a storied race in Boston.

“Boston is the pinnacle,” she said. “If you are going to run a marathon, it is the pinnacle.”

Recalling his time as a student at BU, Jason Corkrum said in the past he was able to experience the Boston Marathon for himself.

This year, he said he’ll be watching and following along with the race to cheer on his mother and all the runners alongside her.

“I have great memories of watching the r unners come through South Campus on Patriots Day,” Jason Corkrum said.

Darlene Corkrum noted that during a race, marathon runners are less focused on competition and more focused on community.

“It is pretty interesting that you can run 18 miles and stay within the same grouping of people,” she said. “Sometimes people surge or move ahead while others may stop at a water stop. Five miles later, you will see them again, and you do bond. You become a part of this community.”

SCIENCE

MARATHON 5

Museum of Science hosts exhibits on science of marathons

BY AMELIA MURRAY-COOPER DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

As Boston Marathon athletes prepared for their race, volunteers, guest speakers and staff members at the Museum of Science in the West End hosted a series of educational activities leading up to Monday’s headline event.

In honor of the Boston Marathon, MOS recently partnered with the Boston Athletic Association to show what it takes to train for and run a marathon as part of the Cambridge Science Festival.

Over the past two weekends, the museum offered four marathon-related interpretations of some of its permanent exhibits, as well as four presentations to highlight the different scientific aspects of a marathon, such as training and nutrition.

On Monday, the museum also hosted a live screening of the race on their Gordon Current Science and Technology Center Stage.

Matt Pacewicz, a program presenter at MOS, said the museum had a team running in the Marathon this year that raised money for the museum’s Traveling Programs. Since 2010, teams of runners have helped fund the expansion of these programs, which visit schools, camps and libraries throughout New England.

“Our tea ms do great,” Pacewicz said. “It allows us to raise money, which helps us buy vans and equipment and visit underprivileged schools.”

Pacewicz helped lead an activity called “Tracking the Runners,” which was an interpretation of

the museum’s permanent transportation exhibit.

He explained there are several electronic checkpoints placed on the ground throughout the marathon course. Each athlete’s bib contains a small, disposable microchip that records their location when they pass over a checkpoint, he said, and the technology lets the Boston Athletic Association track more than 25,000 marathon participants.

“This helps cut down on issues of cheating because otherwise people could start the marathon and then jump on the T,” Pacewicz said.

Another activity called “How Would T. Rex Run a Marathon?” was set up in the museum’s permanent “Dinosaurs: Modeling the Mesozoic” exhibit. Visitors could run in the footsteps of dinosaurs on a model trackway and compare their jumping abilities with different animals on a jumping track.

Rachel Cilley, a MOS staff member who helped lead this activity, used fossilized dinosaur footprints to explain how understandings of dinosaur locomotion have changed over time.

“At first, scientists believed dinosaurs walked upright, but with new discoveries and evidence, it seems that they walked more parallel to the ground,” Cilley said.

Guest speakers also gave presentations about the evolutionary science behind running.

In “The Evolution of Running,” Jeremy DeSilva of Dartmouth College explained fossil evidence shows how humans have become good at long-distance running

over time. In “Running Out of Africa,” Adam Van Arsdale of Wellesley College discussed the relationship between running and the migration of ancient humans from the African continent.

In the museum’s permanent “Hall of Human Life” exhibit, staff also led a variety of biology education activities. Topics of discussion included how much air human lungs can hold and how running a marathon can change that, as well as explaining how energy drinks work.

Erin Condon, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, ran in the Boston Marathon for the first time this year and said she noticed specific biological effects while training.

“I have definitely felt a runner’s high during the long runs, usually any time I go over 10 miles,” Condon said. “I just feel really unstoppable, and I think part of that is mental and part of that is hormonal or endorphin related.”

Condon said as she has been running since she was 14 years old, she knows how to care of her body before while training.

She said she used energy drinks before her runs and fuels up with foods such as dried fruit, chocolate and nuts at the halfway point of practice runs.

She would also wait about 48 hours before running again, she said, so she could recharge.

“I think that years of running gives me a pretty strong foundation, and my body is used to the wear and tear that comes with it,” Condon said. “Still, training for a marathon is a really long process for anyone.”

SERENA YU/ DFP STAFF

A girl participates in hands-on science demonstrations with a staff member at the Museum of Science in Boston.

SERENA YU/ DFP STAFF

A young boy in yellow science goggles looks up at a worker at the Museum of Science in Boston.

SERENA YU/ DFP STAFF

The inside of the Museum of Science in Boston. Guest speakers and staff members at the Museum hosted a series of educational activities leading up to the Boston Marathon.

SERENA YU/ DFP STAFF

A little boy gazes into a microscope alongside other kids at the Museum of Science in Boston.

6 MARATHON

Athletes and spectators from around the world took the streets of Boston Monday for the 123rd annual marathon.

Rastislav Stieranka, 45, raises the Slovakian flag in the air while running through Back Bay.

Marathon runners turn a corner past Kenmore Square and approach the final stretch of the race.

ALI AUDET/ DFP STAFF

A man in a military uniform high fives people in the crowd during the marathon.

Christopher Scutti, 27, throws his hands up in the air and yells during the race.

SOPHIE PARK/ DFP STAFF

ALI AUDET/ DFP STAFF

Gaute Dag Løset, 34, high-fives a spectator while running through Kenmore Square.

A competitor in the push-rim wheelchair division, passes under Charlesgate East and Massachusetts Avenue.

SOPHIE PARK/ DFP STAFF

SERENA YU/ DFP STAFF

SOPHIE PARK/ DFP STAFF

ALI AUDET/ DFP STAFF

A young boy in Boston on the sidelines of the marathon supporting the runners.

MARATHON 7

Runners make their way down Commonwealth Avenue in the final stages of the marathon.

SOPHIE PARK/ DFP STAFF

Two girls support the marathon runners in Kenmore Square with orange foam fingers.

People gather together on a balcony to watch the marathon from above.

SOPHIE PARK/ DFP STAFF

SOPHIE PARK/ DFP STAFF

A push-rim wheelchair racer heads down the underpass on Commonwealth Avenue.

Doo Hoi Kim, a 60-year-old from South Korea, spreads his arms and smiles while running the marathon.

SOPHIE PARK/ DFP STAFF

RACHEL SHARPLES/ DFP STAFF

Erik Hinrichsen, 30, pours a drink into his mouth as he continues running.

RACHEL SHARPLES/ DFP STAFF

Elite male runners make their way along the marathon course.

SOPHIE PARK/ DFP STAFF

Marcel Hug, 33, passes through Kenmore Square in a push-rim wheelchair.

ALI AUDET/ DFP STAFF

8 MARATHON

BUSINESS

Achilles International helps make running accessible

BY JULIA MARUCA

DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Laura Buso biked out to Commonwealth Avenue early Saturday morning, stopping at the first mile marker for the 2019 Boston Athletic Association 5K in Back Bay. Buso is a member of a local athletic club, the Somerville Road Runners, but she wasn’t at the marker to race.

Instead, sporting a yellow T-shirt and shaking noisemakers, she kept her eyes on a few particular runners, cheering their names as they passed by.

“I love running because it can be accessible to anyone, regardless of physical ability or skill,” Buso said. “Anyone can be a runner.”

Buso is president of the Boston chapter of Achilles International, an organization that pairs volunteer “guide runners” with member athletes who have a disability. The guide runners “function as member athlete’s eyes, ears, guide, and motivator,” according to the Boston chapter’s Facebook page.

Achilles Boston also hosts weekly groups runs on Friday evenings in Lowell and Saturday mornings on Newbury Street in Boston.

Selvie Mulaj is a former Achilles athlete who now works at the organization’s New York City headquarters. Mulaj said she completed the New York City Marathon twice with the help

of Achilles International and is proud to see other athletes and guides doing the same.

“People start chapters of Achilles all over the world,” Mulaj said. “They help disabled people do marathons and runs, but it’s also a social place to meet up with your friends.”

The original Achilles chapter was founded in New York in 1983, and the Boston chapter was founded in January 2013, just months before the Boston Marathon bombings. Buso said the organization’s New York headquarters wanted to make sure the Boston community was especially supported after the bombings.

Buso said she has been a guide runner for the past five years, helping with marathons, half marathons, 5K and 10K runs.

Working with both Achilles and the Somerville Road Runners, Buso is familiar with many people in the Boston running community — so much so that she said her friends sometimes jokingly call her “the mayor.”

“Successful guide running is all about trust,” Buso said. “You have to trust your partner, the person who is running with you — communication is a really big part of it.”

Buso said athletes with disabilities face challenges during races that able-bodied athletes don’t always necessarily think of.

Guide runners are responsible for keeping track of their athletes, she said, encouraging them and making sure they have enough space.

“A lot of people use the BAA 5K as a warm up for the Boston Marathon,” she said. “For the majority of the race, it’s incredibly densely packed and because it’s raining today [Saturday], the road will be slippery. Also, in races like this where people are sometimes listening to music while they run, they don’t always hear you coming.”

Jason Savageau, one of Achilles’ athletes, ran the BAA 5K with guide runner Lori Chong to prepare to run the full marathon. Savageau, who has a visual impairment, said he would run the marathon with two guides, who would switch off halfway through the race.

“I took it very slow-paced, and my guide runner kept me upright and on pace and made sure I wasn’t burning out my energy before Monday,” Savageau said.

“The guide and athlete both have to understand what’s important to the athlete. For me, I have more usable vision than a lot of completely blind runners, but with that said, it’s important that they understand what I need help with.”

Savageau said he has been running with Achilles for the past two and a half years.

ARTS

RACHEL SHARPLES/ DFP STAFF

Participants in the 2019 Boston Athletic Association 5K were cheered on by Achilles International Boston, an organization that pairs volunteer “guide runners” with member athletes who have a disability, on Saturday.

“Achilles is always trying to recruit new faces, and when someone shows up, they’re part of the family already,” he said. “It’s important to support everyone’s efforts to get out there, whether it’s an experienced runner who wants to show someone how to run safely or a person looking for

a guide to help them run safely and have fun while doing it.”

Buso also ran the full 26.2 miles Monday but said she didn’t want to make it a big deal — she only told a few people.

“It’s not really about me,” Buso said. “I almost wish I could be on the side cheering on Jason.”

High-flying daffodils add to marathon spirit in Seaport

BY CONOR KELLEY

DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Swaying in colorful unison, 20 large nylon daffodils flutter over the Seaport Common to celebrate the Boston Marathon and welcome the emergence of spring. Designed by artist Daniele Frazier, the art project “20 Knots: Daffodils for Boston” opened April 8 and runs through the end of the month.

Every year since the marathon bombings in 2013, daffodils — thousands of which have been planted along the entirety of the marathon route, and thousands more of which are placed in the windows of businesses across Boston — have become a local symbol of resilience and strength.

The bright yellow flowers were first planted in the aftermath of the attacks in 2013 by Marathon Daffodils, an initiative led by Boston horticultural organizations, according to Runner’s World.

Debra Brodsky, director of marketing for the Seaport, said the “20 Knots” project seemed fitting for the Seaport neighborhood because it is a new and upcoming part of Boston. “[It] feels only natural to extend the heartwarming Marathon Daffodil program to the area,” Brodsky said. “It physically links Seaport to the city and only adds to the impact of the already powerful concept.”

The Seaport commissioned Frazier to create the high-flying Daffodils in March, each of which

SOPHIE PARK/ DFP STAFF

The Seaport is celebrating the unity of the Boston Marathon and the emergence of spring with a new outdoor art installation, “20 Knots: Daffodils for Boston.”

is fixed to a slender 20 foot-long pole and moves with the wind.

Frazier described her creation as a powerful tribute to the spring season’s conquest over winter and one that allows viewers to observe the constantly changing wind patterns.

“Although the piece is exuberant and joyful, it simultaneously encourages contemplation,” Frazier said.

“The wind serves as a force that ani-

mates the flowers — invisible, seemingly magical and mysterious — yet an ever-present aspect of our lives and environment that we do not typically think about.”

Jack Skelley, a freelance videographer who filmed the public artwork “20 Knots” for the Seaport, was present during the installation of the daffodils.

“I was here when they were build-

ing it the other day, and it was kind of a mess,” Skelley said. “It was in the pouring rain, and [Frazier] came from New York. She was trying to get all these up, and the wind was blowing and everything. It was freezing cold, it was crazy.”

Saturday was the first day since the installation’s rainy release that weather was conducive to its display. What began as an overcast, rainy morning soon became a sunny and warm spring afternoon, drawing in many visitors to the Seaport Common.

Alec Spivack, 26, of the West End, teaches yoga in the Seaport and stumbled upon the daffodils Saturday morning after finishing her classes.

“I had no idea about it,” Spivack said. “This morning it was super crummy out and really gloomy. I taught three classes this morning, and then I finished the third one, and all of a sudden it was sunny outside. Then I ran into this, and it was really cool. It was like the cherry on top.”

The transition from gloom to bloom Saturday bolstered the installation’s reception, several other visitors said.

Ashland Stansbury, 22, of Hingham, said the daffodils’ presence was encouraging of the transition from winter to spring.

“You can tell the grass and the trees aren’t quite there yet, but it’s encouraging Boston to transform

into the next season,” Stansbury said. “They look more full and complete when the wind is stronger, so it’s almost like the more pressure and tension that comes against them, the more beautiful they are.”

Spivack said the colorful daffodils contrasted with the more neutral palate of the surrounding structures.

“I really like the color and how it stands out with all of these different buildings that are here,” Spivack said. “I feel like a lot of these buildings, if you look around, a lot of them are monochrome, they’re all white and gray.”

Stansbury noted the close proximity of each flower as being indicative of Boston’s collective strength.

“The first thing I notice is that they’re all in unison and blowing in the same direction,” Stansbury said.

“That kind of symbolic of standing in unison — they can only grow together, they can’t grow separately.”

“20 Knots” serves not only as a reflection of spring’s arrival, but as an expression of “Boston Strong,” according to Brodsky.

“Can you imagine something more spring-like than giant flowers?

In dreaming up this installation, our team could not,” Brodsky said.

“It’s wonderfully literal — but also powerful in its scale. And with the flowers being executed as daffodils, the power extends to the marathon and its own connections to those blooms.”

MARATHON 9

Softball completes weekend sweep of Colgate University

BY NICK TELESMANIC DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Boston University softball picked up a series sweep against Colgate University with two shutouts Saturday and a walk-off victory Sunday.

“A sweep this weekend obviously makes amounts of difference continuing on and keeping pace in the conference,” BU head coach Ashley Waters said.

Game 1: BU 8, Colgate 0 (5) A dynamic six-run bottom of the fourth set up the Terriers (23-17, 18-1 Patriot League) for a rule-run victory. After giving up two runs in the bottom of the first, Raider (17-21, 3-6 Patriot League) pitcher Jessica Hay struggled to hold back the Terriers in the fourth, giving up three runs and only collecting one out before getting the hook in favor of pitcher Kaitlyn Borruso.

Borruso was unable to clean up Hay’s mess, giving up three unearned runs before finally managing to end the inning. Hay was the losing pitcher that afternoon.

Five innings of shutout one-hit ball from sophomore pitcher Ali DuBois allowed BU to win the game by the run-rule after the top of the fifth.

Game 2: BU 7, Colgate 0 Thanks to freshman pitcher Emily Gant’s seven-inning two-hit shutout, BU’s seven-run in the latter half of the twin bill was uncontested.

Senior infielder Emily Morrow

RACHEL SHARPLES/ DFP STAFF

Sophomore infielder Marina Sylvestri in Saturday’s game against Colgate University. Sylvestri hit a walk-off bunt that allowed the Terriers to sweep the Raiders on Sunday.

collected two RBIs en route to the 7-0 win.

Over the first two games of the series, the Terriers held Colgate to three hits. DuBois said she thinks this is a great feat for Gant and herself, given how strong she thinks the Colgate offense is.

“The way I view Colgate, they’re kind of a prolific offensive team,” DuBois said. “… For us to hold Colgate to three hits, that’s huge.”

Game 3: BU 2, Colgate 1 For game three of the series, DuBois opposed Colgate pitcher Bella Crow.

Crow would give up a run to the

Terriers early in the bottom of the first. After one out was recorded, Morrow hit a double to right field.

The next at-bat by senior catcher Alex Heinen would result in an RBI single that would bring Morrow home.The bats went quiet in the second and third innings for both teams. DuBois struck out the first two batters she saw in the top of the third — Raider outfielder Jordan Miller and utility player Christiana Cottrell — en route to a groundout that would end the inning.

DuBois then struck out the first two Raiders she saw in the

top of the fourth. However, she would surrender her first hit of the afternoon against infielder Morgan Farrah. Regardless, she would manage to escape from the inning after forcing a flyout from Raider catcher and utility player Virginia Irby.

Colgate would finally reap rewards from their efforts to score in the top of the sixth. Cottrell started the inning for the Raiders with a double. With one out in the inning, Raiders infielder Lauren La Terra would come off the bench with a pinch-hit triple to easily bring Cottrell home. DuBois would

escape the inning without further damage, but the ball game was set anew.

The bottom of the sixth and the top of the seventh would not see any hits from either side, but BU would send their fans home in the bottom of the seventh with a walk-off hit from sophomore infielder Marina Sylvestri. A single from senior catcher/infielder Alexa Ponce began the rally, with junior pitcher Kali Magane being replaced on base for Ponce as a pinch-runner.

A wild pitch would allow Magane to advance into scoring position at second base, which set up the perfect opportunity for Sylvestri. The sophomore infielder placed a bunt that rolled past the charging pitcher and first baseman and allowed Magane to bring in the winning run.

“I think Marina showing bunt just made them want to throw a rise ball … to see if she can pop it up,” Waters said. “I never thought we’d win on a walk-off push bunt, but we’ll take it.”

What’s next The Terriers will take on UMass Lowell in a doubleheader Wednesday at home. The River Hawks (20-12, 8-0 America East) have come off of a series sweep of their own over the weekend against Binghamton University (14-21, 3-8 America East).

Men’s lacrosse upsets Loyola Maryland 18-11 at home

BY ANDREAS SOSILO DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

The Boston University men’s l a c ro s s e te a m pr e v a i le d 18 -11 a g a i n st No. 2 - r a n ke d L o y ol a Un iversit y Ma r yla nd i n dom inant fashion Saturday afternoon.

The Terriers improved their home record to 6-1, conference record to 4-2 and an overall record to 9-4.

“That was one of the best BU lacrosse games we ever had,” BU head coach Ryan Polley said.

Senior attack James Burr broke the BU men’s lacrosse program’s alltime points record with a monstrous nine-point performance, upping his total career points to 175.

Junior goalkeeper Joe McSorley made strong saves th roug hout Saturday’s game that helped give the Terriers the win. With just under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Loyola attack Pat Spencer dove across the crease only to find nothing but McSorley.

BU would then finish the game w ithout Loyola pressuring a ny further.

The Terriers came out the gate with both a physical and mentally strong mindset that immediately cha l lenged the Greyhounds.

Sophomore faceoff specialist Sean Christman created a number of fast break opportunities as well as possessions in the first quarter.

The Terriers finished the opening frame on top 5-3 while generating 20 shots. However, Loyola goalkeeper Jacob Stover made a number of crucial stops that kept the Greyhounds in the game.

Prior to this game, the Greyhounds had dominated their opponents in the Patriot League,

as they entered Nickerson Field 5-0 in conference play. In addition, the Greyhounds have never fallen behind in the first quarter, outscoring their five conference opponents 28-5.

The Greyhounds would eventually tie the game up by halftime, going on a late second quarter run.

Freshman attack Jake Cates displayed a strong individual effort with seconds remaining in the half to knot up the game at nine by halftime.

“We knew they were going to go on runs, but the goal we got at the end of the half was really important, and that gave us confidence,” Polley said.

The Greyhounds were shut out in the third quarter as McSorley and BU’s defensive unit completely shut off Spencer and the Loyola offense.

Loyola struggled to make the most of their possessions throughout the period. Ultimately, BU’s defensive unit further propelled the Terriers’ momentum — which eventually led to a two-goal lead.

Loyola would then see an array of other opportunities to close the two-goal deficit with a man-up opportunity. However, McSorley would make a big save that led to a bounce-shot goal on the other end for senior attack Michael Laviano.

From there, the Terriers would continue to cause havoc for the Greyhounds as they caused a vital turnover on Spencer, which led to a goal for freshman attack Timmy Ley. Eventually, Burr would find the back of the Greyhound’s net once again — giving the Terriers a five-goal lead.

“We really wanted to keep our

foot on the gas pedal after the third quarter, and I think we did a great job,” Polley said. “We continued our transition and stayed in the 10-man ride, which was key.”

The fourth quarter began with McSorley making a routine save.

The Terriers had the opportunity to expand their lead to six in a man-up situation, but Loyola’s Stover made an exceptional save to give the Greyhounds some life.

Loyola attack Kevin Lindley stopped the Greyhound’s drought by scoring in a man-up opportunity, which closed the gap to four goals.

However, Burr would answer within seconds off a fast break from Christman, which shut down any momentum Loyola had regained.

T he Ter r ier s’ 10 - m a n r id e proved to be an arduous barrier for the Greyhounds through the fourth quarter, as BU constantly regained possession. Lindley went on to strike back one in an attempt to generate momentum for the Greyhound side.

L e y a nd sophomore at tack Chris Gray would put a dagger to the Greyhound’s loss late in the quarter, getting a goal each and

bringing the final score to 18-11.

McSorley finished the game with a couple of strong saves, further frustrating Loyola’s offense.

T he Ter r iers w i l l nex t face the Col lege of the Holy Cross this Saturday for another Patriot League game at home.

“I’m really happy for the guys, a nd th is is a huge w i n, but we got to get back to business on Monday,” Polley said. “We have a really good team, Holy Cross, coming here. If we don’t keep our foot on the peda l, they ’l l ta ke it to us.”

MATT WOOLVERTON/ DFP STAFF

Senior attack James Burr in a game on March 21 against Harvard University. Burr became the men’s lacrosse program’s all-time points leader in Saturday’s upset win against Loyola Maryland.

10 MARATHON

EDITORIAL

Daniel Romanchuk symbolizes strength, perseverance At the 123rd Boston Marathon on Monday, Daniel Romanchuk won the men’s wheelchair division. He was the youngest winner of the race ever at 20 years old, as well as the first American to win the men’s division since 1993.

During his medal ceremony, the American flag was draped over his shoulders. In order to place the medal around his neck, a race official took the flag off his shoulders, crumpled it up and set it on the ground as he placed the medal around Romanchuk’s neck.

The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon, and as such, it’s a sporting event in which Americans take great pride.

When an American wins one of the races, the country takes a collective patriotic pride in the victory. In athletics, a national flag often demonstrates who the competitors are and represents where they come from.

The flag of the United States should never touch the ground, as per the Flag Code, especially during a traditional ceremony — let alone be crumpled up and tossed aside. This oversight should not have happened, but we must take it for what it was — a simple mistake.

The BAA properly responded with near-immediate recognition of the faux pas and an acknowledgement of the importance of what the flag stands for. Jack Fleming, the Chief Operating Officer of the BAA, issued an apology for the organization’s actions.

“We are reviewing our Awards protocol to ensure that this does not happen again,” Fleming said. “The Boston Marathon has been an American tradition for more than a century and we take pride in the passion and determination that participants, spectators, and volunteers from around the world display at our annual event.

“Our flag is a symbol of freedom, unity, and community spirit — all of which are virtues that

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Daniel Romanchuk.

the Boston Athletic Association supports.”

As Americans, we respect our country’s flag and all the values it represents: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, among others. But no one should be accused of disrespecting these values, or the country, simply because they put a flag on the floor.

Words matter. During the Boston Marathon, we must be mindful and respectful of the accomplishments of the elite athletes who excel on such a high-profile stage.

Romanchuk won the Chicago and New York City marathons and placed third at Boston’s in 2018. He is an accomplished athlete who also attends college at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Romanchuk had to reach out to his professors about missing class prior to

CROSSWORD

the race.

Romanchuk was born with spina bifida, a condition in which the spinal column doesn’t close all the way. This did not hold him back. He attended an adaptive sports program at age two, and around the age of six, he competed in his first track meet. By an early age, he frequently set records and competed nationally.

The hard work Romanchuk put into his sport over the course of his lifetime deserves to take center stage on and following his celebratory day in Boston. All eyes should be on him, not on a flag tossed in a corner.

It is impossible not to celebrate the marathon without recognizing the bombings that took place six years ago. Three people lost their lives to the explosions, including Boston

University student Lingzi Lu, and more than 260 were injured due to the actions of terrorists who targeted a major American hub. Out of this tragedy came the slogan, “Boston Strong.”

This slogan is in many ways similar to the American flag. Not the colors, stars or stripes of the flag, but the real meaning behind it: strength and pride.

Marathons are about the ability to reach excellence and work tirelessly toward a seemingly impossible goal. That is what Romanchuk did on Monday, and we should not remember his name because of a crumpled up flag.

Rather, we should remember him for the strength he demonstrated and for the pride he has bestowed on the city of Boston and the United States of America.

This week’s crossword puzzle is brought to you by Andrew Metheny COURTESY OF MIRROREYES.COM / CROSSWORD ANSWERS AVAILABLE ON https://dfpress.co/2IAjeub

ACROSS 1. Thick slices of something 6. Scraped gently 11. A quantity of paper 12. Perform surgery on 15. Pinnacle 16. Trapped 17. Bar bill 18. Demesnes 20. Implore 21. Wings 23. Beers 24. Eat 25. Canines 26. Dry 27. Untruths 28. God of love 29. Goblin 30. Panty waist 31. Crossed eye 34. Molest 36. “_ _ _ Maria” 37. Decay from overripening

Shaun Robinson, Editor-in-Chief

DOWN 41. Baroque composer 42. Goulash 43. Roman moon goddess 44. Not less 45. Blend 46. Hens make them 47. Mistake 48. Unreal 51. Gangster’s gun 52.

Accommodation for animals 54. Carport 56. Amaze 57. Feudal lord 58. Relieves 59. Ceased

1. Dirtiness 2. Backache 3. Sight 4. French cheese 5. Collections 6. Absolutely still 7. French for “After” 8. Knows 9. Before, poetically 10. Handcuffs 13. Very small 14. Border 15. Ancient unit of length 16. Making fine adjustments 19. Fortuneteller’s card 22. Gist 24. Incapacitate 26. Greeting at sea 27. 52 in Roman numerals 30. Gush 32. Comes after Mi and Fah

33. Blatant 34. Terminates 35. Provide commentary 38. Baggage 39. Betrothed 40. Flavor 42. Gets to one’s feet 44. Plateau 45. Gleam 48. Add 49. Leer at 50. Principal 53. Type of snake 55. Scarlet

Diana Leane, Managing Editor

t h e i n d e p e n d e n t s t u d e n t n e w s pa p e r a t b o s t o n u n i v e r s i t y

47th year | Volume 95 | Issue 7 The Daily Free Press (ISSN 1094-7337) is printed Thursdays during the academic year except during vacation and exam periods by Back Bay Publishing Co., Inc., a nonprofit corporation operated by Boston University students. No content can be reproduced without the permission of Back Bay Publishing Co., Inc. Copyright © 2019 Back Bay Publishing Co., Inc. All rights reserved.

Audrey Martin, Campus Editor Haley Lerner, City Editor Sam Drysdale, Features Editor Nick Telesmanic, Sports Editor

Max Berman, Editorial Page Editor Gabriela Hutchings, Photo Editor Michal Shvimer, Blog Editor

Chloe Qin, Layout Editor Ananya Panchal, Multimedia Editor Shakti Rovner, Office Manager

MARATHON 11

MODERN BEAUTY:

COLUMNS

THAT’S WRIGHT:

The joy that was Marathon Don’t let your middle Monday partying this year school mile hold you back

BY EMILY CONFALONE COLUMNIST

Boston University Police Department officers squad-ing up in front of StuVi II. Freshmen carrying suspicious Aquafina bottles filled with orange liquid. Hordes of sorority women in matching T-shirts. All of Allston singing a melody of 1,000 different rap songs. The alley.

Marathon Monday is without a doubt one of the best days of the year, and anyone who says otherwise isn’t seeing it with the right lens.

I understand people don’t like the thought of day drinking on a Monday, myself included, but that shouldn’t have stopped you from realizing the beauty of the day. If you missed yesterday’s celebration, here’s a recap: The rain. It can be a downer, literally. But two weeks from now, I know I’ll look up at the trees that line Commonwealth Avenue on my walk to a lecture and appreciate their leaves. They’ll be greener then, and it’s because of Monday. The rain also made me cold, but it made my hot coffee from the StuVi I Dunkin’ that much better.

And the fashion. My friend once told me the Allston crawl looks a little like kids going trick or treating, and MarMon is no exception. Pockets of college students run from house to house, knocking on doors and meeting with friends. A crucial part of Halloween also involves costumes, and this past Monday shared that tradition, too.

On top of the stunning shirts people had designed for the day, I noted multi-colored eyewear, hats that balance beer bottles attached with straws that lead to the mouths of eager students and a variety of fanny packs. Gardner, Ashford and Pratt streets were runways on Monday. Allston has fashion week, too, didn’t you know?

A key part of Marathon Monday also

involves food, and I believe people should take it more into account when planning out their day. What’s better than a slice of pizza from T Anthony’s at 2 p.m. after an entire day of skipping through rat city? Absolutely nothing.

The way the cheese cascades down the lower half of your face — slightly messing up your foundation, but this is beside the point — and hitting your taste buds with the thing they crave most: carbs that aren’t liquid. This is a thing of beauty. Next year, appreciate every bite.

Next, the people. Humanity is a spectacular thing, and everyone coming together on Monday was just one example. No one is too cool or too un-cool for a good time on Marathon Monday. Yesterday’s holiday was one of the only times everyone forgets about their cliques’ parameters.

I will admit I’ve met some great friends because of Marathon Monday, and the culture of the event makes that happen. If you didn’t do it in 2019, make sure to just stop in the middle of all the festivities next year and watch the people around you.

In Marina Keegan’s piece, “The Opposite of Loneliness,” she writes, “It’s not quite love and it’s not quite community; it’s just this feeling that there are people, an abundance of people, who are in this together. Who are on your team.”

This is how I felt on Monday. Everyone comes together and supports one another.

Sure, the reason for all the togetherness is slightly shallow, but I’m willing to look past that. This feeling, this opposite of loneliness, is what I want to feel when I receive my diploma in May. Instead of worrying if I’ll trip in my new shoes, I want to look out at a sea of people I don’t know and feel support.

Monday was emotional at around 3 p.m.

The real reason I was down in the early afternoon was precisely the reason I was also feeling happy — an air of fellowship. It occurred to me that I want every day until graduation to hold some meaning. I don’t want to waste it, and to me, that means being with the people I love and making sure they know they’re loved.

Marathon Monday was the beginning of the end for me, and while that’s sad, it’s also something beautiful. I hope you appreciated Monday, and today and the days after this.

Here’s to something great.

BY KATHERINE WRIGHT COLUMNIST

I have never run a marathon.

And because I have never run a marathon, I can say with certainty that it’s impossible. A hilarious conception. A totally insane, completely preposterous, unthinkable, unimaginable, completely unattainable idea. The very thought of running 26.2 miles — let alone one — is frankly absurd.

From my understanding, this seems to be the general consensus, with less dramatization, on running a marathon. Running a marathon is nothing short of a superhuman accomplishment that very few people can imagine actually doing.

The second someone even mentions the term “marathon,” most of us immediately picture ourselves in this context and consequently dismiss our ability to do so.

However, despite this generalized mindset, the idea of running a marathon is overwhelmingly captivating, engaging and intriguing. It’s a huge accomplishment that some part of us might crave to achieve.

Maybe not so powerfully that we’re compelled to start training, that is, but enough to grab our attention, picture the glorious finale and wonder if we’d ever be able to complete such an arduous journey.

A marathon is a perfect metaphor for the underlying, hardly achievable, totally ridiculous goals we all have. We all have unnoticed, quiet ambitions we tuck away in the back of our brains we often write off as impossible or too crazy to genuinely acknowledge.

We don’t think about these ambitions often, but when we do, it brings slight bursts of inspiration. There’s just some-

thing exciting about something so absurd.

But it’s a short-lived excitement, smothered by our own perception of reality.

About a year ago, I ran into a Nike-clad woman in a hotel elevator. When she asked me if I was in Boston to run the marathon, I looked at her like she was crazy. But all she said was, “If I can do it, anyone can.”

I wasn’t convinced.

In middle school, when I ran/walked a 14-minute mile during the dreaded gym test, I just assumed that I would never be able to do much better than that. Running was hard and uncomfortable, and I didn’t enjoy it.

Apparently, I could never be good at it. I simply accepted the fact that I was fated to fail at something so challenging. It seemed to me that you either had a five-minute or 15-minute mile, and there was very little you could do to change that. Some people are just born faster, right?

Of course, this is not true. While some people might be at an advantage for running one, or two or 26 miles, that does not make it impossible for anyone else. Even the kid who got a five-minute mile in middle school gym class couldn’t randomly wake up one morning and run an entire marathon.

It takes dedication, purposeful intent and a lot of training. But even still, we assume we would never be able to run a marathon, even though most of us have never made any effort to do so.

There’s a major difference between not being able to run a marathon and not wanting to run a marathon. We usually assume that we’re incapable, due to the daunting nature of the task and our profound lack of experience.

But the woman I met in a hotel elevator was completely right. Running a 26-mile marathon is not impossible, even when you start out with a winded, exhausted, 14-minute single mile run.

The same is true for the seemingly ridiculous aspirations we have. When we’re not instantly perfect at something, it’s too easy to assume we’ll never be good enough to actually make it an accomplishment.

But anything challenging takes time, dedication and an open-minded attitude. I don’t have to run a marathon to know it’s not easy. But I can’t say it’s impossible if I haven’t even tried.

CARTOON BY RACHEL CALLAHAN

INTERROBANG

Tens of thousands of athletes trekked 26.2 miles to downtown Boston on Monday.

We here at the ol’ Free Press want to know — what would BU students run 26.2 miles for?

Questrom: A LinkedIn post

SAR: Fun and health

Dental School: Fluoride

Classics Department: To deliver a message

Frats: To get on to Barstool

Freshman crawlers: An address

Danielsen: To get to class Living Rhett: Chicken FreeP: A fridge