PHOTO Attached: “The starting line of the Boston Marathon in Hopkinton, MA will be empty of runners this Monday for the first time in 124 years.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Coach Mark Buciak, QCC
This Monday, April 20th is Patriot’s Day in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
It is the celebration of “The Shot That Was Heard Around The World!”……
The start of an eight year War for our Independence.
For the last 123 years the Boston Athletic Association has hosted and organized the Boston Marathon.
This is oldest annual contested footrace in the world.
It was once called America’s Marathon in part because it was one of the few or only Marathons in the United States.
A lot has changed in the last 123 years: From 11 runners to 30,000 runners and from leather dress shoes to high tech/light weigh running shoes.
For the 10 years the official lead vehicle was a bike because cars were not invented yet!
The course has remain entirely the same except for minor changes in the start and finish lines.
Of course, the roads are not longer dirt, they are paved in the 1940’s.
Could you imagine running 26.2 miles through mud on a rainy day!
This Patriot’s Day in the Commonwealth, there will be one major unthinkable change:
There will be no Boston Marathon.
I had have the privilege and honor of running the last 40 consecutive Boston Marathons.
This Monday, April 20th will be one of the strangest days of my life because I will not have my toes on starting line in Hopkinton.
I do plan to run some miles in Chicago and will start at my run at 10:20am (ET).
This is the starting time of the 2nd wave.
Let me know if you wish to join me as we run 6 feet apart starting in Lincoln Park starting at Oz Park.
I will reward myself with a care package from the world famous Bova Bakery in Boston’s North End. You too can order your goodies from Bova at: BOVABAKERYBOSTON.NET.
Mention that you know Coach Marathon Mark from Chicago and you will probably get a bonus.
I welcome my fellow Boston Marathoners as well as other runners to email me with your thoughts and what you are going to come this Monday.
As soon as we get the ALL CLEAR, you are welcome to train me with me for Boston, another Fall Marathon, a half Marathon or just to get into better condition.
I am looking forward to receiving your comments and returning to Boston on Monday, September 14th to run my 41st Boston Marathon.
Wishing everyone a Happy Patriot’s Day!
Enjoy it with some miles and goodies from Bova!
Coach Mark Buciak
Program Director, THE ROAD TO BOSTON Training Program
Vice-President, Boston Quarter Century Club
State of Illinois Record Holder: 40 Consecutive Boston Marathons
PB: 2:30:25, Boston 1983
Mark:
Your comments inspire me to train harder, lose more weight and get to my goal of final getting to run my first Boston Marathon. Your comments should be a awake call to all Americans. It’s time to get off the couch and get moving. Yes, we need to stay 6 feet apart and need a mask to get in the local grocery. But we can still move. And, we should all move more. Thank you for your comments.
Coach Mark Buciak has given his heart and sole, and the other soul as well, to the marathoners of Chicago. Those who know him realize his dedication and passion to the training necessary to be a finisher of a marathon. Mark knows the way and has taught and trained many to be a finisher. He teaches the will to win knowing full well to do your best is to win. Thank you to the “Chicago Athlete” for helping to spread the Coach Mark Buciak story.
Jack Leese
Well said Mark!!
I am proud to say that I know you personally & have trained with you and your runners.
Keep up the good work & lets get going on your next 40 Boston’s!!