![]() ![]() Dirscher is a retired Air Force Chaplain and currently serves as a civilian Catholic Chaplain at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. "Anyone who runs marathons would want to run Boston since this is the grand-daddy of all marathons," said Denis Dirscher, who will turn 73 in May. ![]() The reasons the runners cited as their grounds for running were diverse. " were all screaming, yelling, cheering and giving encouragement, and it's exactly when you need it - somewhere around mile 15." "The most memorable part of running the Boston Marathon was going by Wellesley College it was pretty amazing," he said. Pat Carmody, who retired from the Navy, noted the support of one group in particular. "Boston is a fantastic marathon to run and the people of Boston just make it very special for every runner," he said citing the city's historic significance and supportive crowds. "When you finally cross the finish line and realize you've achieved your objective for the day and something you've been working on for a long, long time there's a great sense of satisfaction."Īlong the way, the runners were cheered on by crowds of supporters, which helped them keep going even up the treacherous Heartbreak Hill at mile 21, said Gary Knipling, a veterinarian from Virginia who traveled to Hanscom with fellow runner, Colonel Dodds. Steadman described it as being a mind over body experience. Overcoming the weather wasn't the only thing the runners had to conquer they also had to vanquish the painful cries of their own bodies.Ĭol. "The biggest challenge for me was trying to regulate my body temperature, both at the beginning, because it was too warm, and later on because it was actually cooler when the winds picked up again," he said. Tony Steadman, Electronic Systems Center Staff Judge Advocate, agreed that the weather wasn't bad at the beginning of the course, but added, "Once you got into Boston, the winds were just phenomenal." "We spent more time worrying about the weather than out on the course," he said.Ĭol. John Dodds, who is assigned to the 2nd Air Force at Keesler AFB, Miss., and serves as a civilian attorney for the Air Force's General Counsel at the Pentagon, said the weather turned out to be better than he had expected and that he felt over-dressed. The bad weather made it a bit more of an epic experience." "It felt good to run in the cold, although I would have liked better weather. ![]() Dan Arneson, 86th Fighter Training Squadron, Laughlin AFB, Texas. "Running in the cold rain and wind turned out to be a good experience," said Capt. "The most memorable part of the marathon for me was when I realized the weather was going to be good, which was at about mile 8." "The sooner we get there, the sooner we start," was the focused mantra of retired Army member John Thorsen. All the runners could do was prepare for the worst and try to make the best of it. The race had not been cancelled in its previous 110 years and this year was no exception. This year 23,903 runners from around the world entered the historic race, according to a Boston Athletic Association press release. The nation's oldest marathon, now in its 111th year, is held on the Massachusetts holiday, Patriot's Day, which commemorates the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Neither the adverse weather conditions nor the grueling 26.2 miles ahead of them could deter them from their goal of completing the Boston Marathon. The 32 determined runners, hailing from various locations and military services, still showed up at Sports and Fitness Center here at 6:30 a.m. The weather forecasters predicted dire conditions - winds gusting at 30 or more miles per hour and icy, driving rain. ![]()
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