[Mpls] Marathon Supporters and Volunteers, Thank You

[Jay Clark]

I want to thank all those wonderful supporters and volunteers who lined 
the streets mile after mile along the Twin Cities Marathon.

This was my first and perhaps only marathon.  I, like so many on the 
course, am a jogging hack.  The night before I was sick with 
nervousness, and wondering what had ever gotten into my head to try 
this.  I was wavering about even showing up.

My neighbor, who had run a marathon a few years ago, told me to just go 
out and have a good time, that the fans were great, and the whole route 
was like one vast party.

And she was right.  Mile after mile after mile we were greeted with 
cowbells and placards and drums and bowls of starbusts and orange 
wedges.  One guy was even serving goblets of champagne to the runners.

I know that we hacks far in the back of the pack were so tired and so 
near collapse that we could not even muster a weak wave or an 
under-your-breath thank you  or a wan smile for all the words of 
encouragement.  But believe me, your cheers made all the difference in 
the world.

And I know that the crowd of supporters showed as much stamina as the 
runners.  On Summit Ave., by the time we miserable wretches crawled and 
dragged ourselves along, the gazelles at the head of the pack had 
already sprinted by three hours before.  Which meant that the onlookers 
had been yelling and cheering on the runners for three long hours, to an 
ever more bedraggled and forlorn group.  I’m sure that more than once 
they were cheering “you’re looking great” when they really thought 
“Should we call an ambulance?”

The fans and the volunteers made all the difference between the Twin 
Cities Marathon being a physical endurance test and being a truly 
wonderful and fun and inspiring experience.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

And in future years I will also be on the curb, cheering on the 
marathoners.  And I will make a special point of yelling words of 
encouragement to those stumbling  and lumbering along far back in the pack.

Jay Clark
Cooper