Motivated Runners Prepare for Marathon

Some are motivated by charity, others by personal honor and many the simple desire for a new challenge. Today, thousands of runners—including many in the Harvard community—are set to course through the streets of Boston today in the 106th running of the Boston Marathon.

The race begins at noon in the Boston suburb of Hopkington and ends in downtown Boston.

Some of the runners have years of experience on the hilly 26-mile course.

Timothy C. Harte ’90, Kirkland House’s senior tutor, is viewed as something of a legend among Harvard marathoners. This is his sixth time running the Boston Marathon, highlighted by his 38th place finish three years ago.

Although he says he no longer feels the same thrill as he did when he was a beginner, he says he still loves the run.

“I would hate to live in this area and not run the marathon,” he says.

Bennett H. Beach ’71 has run the marathon every year since his first year at Harvard 35 years ago.

“[The first time] I really didn’t know how to train and did way too little mileage, [but] I finished in 3:23 and was hooked,” he says.

But not everyone has such an easy time.

Last year, then-Crimson executive editor Robert K. Silverman ’02 switched roles from reporter of the news to subject of the news.

Due to dehydration, he collapsed shortly before reaching the finish line but crawled across in exactly three hours. He says he will be running again this year.

Some Harvard students are newcomers to the marathon. Their reasons for running are varied.

Brian J. Emeott ’04 says he is running the marathon to defend his honor.

When an acquaintance doubted his ability to complete the entire 26-mile marathon route, Brian simply responded, “Watch me.”

Matthew L. Butler ’04 says he wants to run the marathon because it “is something [he] never imagined doing.”

He says he has been following a careful fitness regime and diet for weeks.

Some runners are taking part for charity.

Jessica M. Matthews ’04 says she is making the run as part of the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge, which raises money for cancer research. She says she will be making the run in memory of a family friend who died of cancer and because her mother, who will be running with her, has previously battled the disease.

Although the marathon is not an intramural sport, House spirit has prompted some runners to take part.

Pfhorzheimer House residents Winthrop J. Ruml ’04 and Alexander A. Pollen ’04 are members of Team Pfoho, a group of several Quadlings who will be competing. In support, the House Committee made Team Pfoho t-shirts.

Although he admits he had difficulty walking for two days after the race last year, Ruml says he encourages others to run.

“It was without a doubt the best day of freshman year.”