This morning in Hopkinton, 30,000 runners will embark on the 26.2 mile path to Boston, writing one other thrilling chapter – the 129th, to be precise – on this iconic race that’s woven into the DNA of our metropolis and our state.
From the tip of the Cape to the Berkshires, there may be an id, a spine, an perspective, that’s uniquely Massachusetts (and I don’t simply imply a choice for iced espresso in the course of January). We don’t draw back from what’s tough. Nobody embodies this greater than these decided souls who spend their Bay State winters coaching to run a marathon in April.
Think about the historical past. The tens of 1000’s of runners who laced up their sneakers this morning is a bit extra than the 77 courageous Minutemen who mustered on Lexington Inexperienced earlier than daybreak on April 19, 1775 to face 700 British regulars on their solution to Harmony. By the point the Redcoats made it to Harmony (after the primary photographs of the Revolution killed a number of militiamen), the variety of courageous patriots turned out for battle had grown to about 400.
The brave stance of those males in the course of the opening volleys of the Revolutionary Battle set an impressed instance for citizen-soldiers throughout the 13 colonies. Their defiance of the British navy might need a fair higher resonance this 12 months, as we mark the 250th anniversary of these historic actions at Lexington and Harmony.
After all, as each elementary college scholar learns, the city militias have been prepared for the combat as a result of Paul Revere, William Dawes, and others rode by the Middlesex countryside that evening (a couple of miles wanting 26, by the best way) to sound the alarm that British regulars have been on the transfer, and to warn Sam Adams and John Hancock that they could be focused for arrest.
These first patriots, combating for a nascent thought of independence, and for one another, have been the unique “Boston Sturdy” torchbearers.
Bay Staters have carried that perspective ever since. It’s seen in our toughness, but additionally in our compassion. Amongst these operating the 129th Boston Marathon introduced by Financial institution of America are 1000’s who’re elevating cash for organizations and causes expensive to them.
The Financial institution of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program this 12 months contains 176 charitable organizations which might be benefitting from the dedication of lots of at present’s runners. Many are impressed by private tales of individuals they beloved and misplaced, and the cash they elevate will assist individuals they may by no means meet. Of the various causes we on the financial institution are honored to associate with the Boston Marathon, with the ability to assist these exceptional runners is on the forefront.
That concern for others, for striving to do what is correct, to do one thing (like operating a marathon) not as a result of it’s straightforward however as a result of it’s laborious, embodies what it means to be from this place. To the greater than 30,000 runners from 127 nations and all 50 states, whether or not you set a private finest or simply benefit from the run, and to all who are operating to assist others, I thank you.
You’re the religious descendants of our colonial forefathers; in one other time, I’d have anticipated to see lots of you assembled on Lexington Inexperienced and Harmony’s North Bridge, shoulder to shoulder with these courageous Minutemen.
I salute each runner world wide for your Massachusetts DNA. It’s no surprise the Revolution began right here.
Miceal Chamberlain is president of Financial institution of America Massachusetts
