BC Students Run in the Boston Marathon

On Monday, October 11, more than 20,000 people from all over the world came to Boston to compete in the world’s oldest and most famous 26.2 mile footrace. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the race took place six months after the usual marathon date of the third Monday in April.

The marathon goes by Boston College, passing on Commonwealth Avenue directly in front of the dorms Vouté, Gabelli, 66, and the St. Thomas Moore Apartments, making it extremely convenient for student viewing. In fact, Boston College is situated at Mile 21, the top of what is known as “Heartbreak Hill”.

On October 11, not only did thousands of BC students along the race course cheer for marathon runners, but many competed in the race. Catholic BC students spoke to The Torch about their experiences at the event.

Marathon runner Harris Craycraft, MCAS ‘22, said of his experience at the race: “I felt a profound peace leading up to the race and throughout the entire race day. It was unlike any other race experience.”

Julia Danehy, CSON ‘24, said, “It was a very profound and deeply heartwarming experience to observe the perseverance and tenacity of the runners as they reached the top of Heartbreak Hill. They were all welcomed by the cheers and support of complete strangers; it was really nice to see people simply cheering for others when there was nothing to gain, just being kind.”

“I’ve always considered athletics as a way of glorifying God, as long as we give credit to him for talent and direct all praise back to Him,” said BC runner Olivia Colombo, LSEHD ‘22 SSW ‘23. “It’s a way of loving, challenging, and appreciating the body He gave me. For me in particular, it was a process of wrestling and then marveling at the strength of the human body––as I went from being diagnosed with Adult Failure to Thrive (AFTT), major surgery in July, to marathon in October.”

“My marathon experience was wrapped in prayer, soaked in moments of learning to love myself, my body, my community, and my God even more. My journey was steeped in trust in the unknown––I had a major health crisis in the year prior to running Boston. I wasn’t sure at times if I would make it at all, let alone be well enough to run again. After months of being a frequent flyer at MGH and Boston Children’s, several rare disease diagnoses, and a few surgeries, I showed up on the race course. I cried tears of meaningful prayer. I covered my arms in Catholic temporary tattoos––including “Jesus, I trust in you” and “Verso L’Alto”––which I looked down at for strength in the hard moments like Heartbreak Hill. I even had written Pat Gregorek’s name on my wrist––a Catholic BC student who passed my freshman year, and whom I often consider to be my heavenly running buddy.”

Colombo, like many runners, ran to support a cause, in her case, the Boston Children’s Hospital. “Not only did I make some beautiful friends on that team, but my friends at BC also showed up in big ways for me too. Leading up to race day, they helped me fundraise through this wild cookie-baking initiative. We laughed and cried and told each other cookie puns while we baked and delivered over 1,200 cookies to the BC community.”

The day prior to the race, about 1,000 marathon runners came to Old South Church to pray for a safe and successful race. Carlos Arredondo, a hero from the Boston Marathon Bombing, prayed at the head of the church for the annual blessing of the runners.

“Before giving the blessings, I really was crying,” Arredondo told WBZ NewsRadio 1030’s Karyn Regal. “It’s so emotional, it’s amazing.”