Stumbling Across the Finish

To the elite racing world, the 105th Boston Marathon signified the end of the Kenyan men’s domination of the field, with Korean Bong Ju Lee’s 2:09:43 finish and the beginning of the Keynan women’s reign with Catherine Ndereba’s 2:23:53 time.

Though Harvard’s marathon runners did not set records, finishing the race signified the completion of personal goals and provided unforgettable experiences.

The struggle of 26.2 notoriously hilly miles took the toll on veteran runner Robert K. Silverman ‘02, who qualifed for the Boston Marathon after running a 2:54 time in the Bay State Marathon last fall.

Silverman, a Crimson executive, collapsed just before the end of the race, but managed to finish the course in exactly 3 hours. He is now recovering after being hospitalized for dehydration after the race.

A few dozen Harvard runners also completed the feat, with most of them joining the 6,000 so-called bandit runners who failed to officially qualify for the event but who run the entire course anyway.

Kirkland House’s Senior Tutor Timothy C. Harte ’90, however, shared his marathon experience with the top runners in the world.

Harte, listed as an “elite runner” in the Boston Globe after his 38th place finish in 1999, rode a transport bus with first-tier runners to the starting line.

“I felt a little bit like an impostor,” Harte said. “I’m not in the greatest shape, but it was a lot of fun.” He finished in 2:35, a few minutes slower than his personal best of 2:27.

Harte’s closest brush with a world-class runner came while waiting for a portable toilet with three-time Boston Marathon winner Moses Tanui, a Keynan.

The race was somewhat less glamorous for Harvard’s bandit runners, especially with their worries about simply starting the race.

“You look for places where race officials aren’t looking and then you jump over the barricade [and start running],” said Matthew R. Cordell ‘01.

Runners drew their inspiration from the half-million spectators lining the course.

“There aren’t more than 20 yards without a spectator,” said Jordon “Jack” A. Chase ‘02.

Jane A. Lindholm ‘01, a first-time marathon runner who finished in 4:43, said the crowd support helped her to finish the race.

Following the practice of many runners, Lindholm wrote her first name across her shirt.

“I got a little tired of hearing ‘G.I. Jane’ and ‘See Jane Run,’” she said.

Runners’ bodies undergo increasing stress with each mile.

“There are several forces working. Your body tells you to stop, but you can’t stop, especially when there are all these people cheering you on,” said Nicholas N. Lau ‘02, a three-time Boston bandit.

The hills presented a challenge to Chase, who called the race the “most grueling athletic experience” of his life.

“Heartbreak Hill is really impressive and really long,” he said. “You think you’re going to make it because in the middle of it there’s a plateau, but then there’s another half mile of hill behind that.”

Miriam R. Asnes ‘02, who finished in 4:28, found the last six miles the most challenging because she had trained in the area.

“Knowing exactly how far everything was challenged my reserves,” she said.

For Harvard runners, finishing the marathon was its own reward.

“This was one of the most memorable experiences of my Harvard experience,” said Jamie R. Vance ‘01, a qualified runner who finished her fourth race in 3:37.

Following the initial euphoria of finishing before adoring crowds in Copley Square, exhaustion settles in as runners find their bodies drained.

Elisabeth S. McKetta ‘01, a first-time runner, plans to indulge herself with rest and relaxation.

“I’m eating a lot of pizza, I have my legs in the air, and I’m going to bed,” McKetta said.

—Staff writer Nicole B. Usher can be reached at usher@fas.harvard.edu.