By Jamie Lasorsa
The first Boston Marathon took place in 1897 and had a total of 15 participants. This year, on April 18th, over 28,000 athletes from all over the world gathered to participate in the 126th Boston Marathon. Both Sterling and Princeton were well represented with a total of 9 residents from both towns completing in the race that day.
Kate Pietrovito, Sterling resident and President of Central Mass Striders (CMS), New England’s Largest Running Club, was one of the runners. This was Kate’s second Boston run, the first being in 2018, however this was her 9th marathon in total. Although it didn’t turn out to be her “best time” for a marathon distance run, it was her most enjoyable one yet. “It was an amazing day, I smiled at every mile. The crowds of Boston are unbelievable!”
Kate has been the president of the CMS running club for a year now, being on the board the previous year and a regular member for about 6 years prior to that. CMS offers timing services for races throughout the area, informal training runs and general support to the running community. Kate describes the club as one which is all-inclusive, welcoming athletes of all ages and abilities.
CMS has helped many athletes train for events of all distances and relies heavily on volunteers to keep the club running strong! Many of this year’s Boston Marathon runners from the area have trained with CMS in some capacity. Kate describes that being part of the club helps push you to be your best. There is a full spectrum of runners from newbies to elite runners and there is always a group running at the various levels.
Kate was pleasantly surprised at the finish line of this year’s marathon as she was greeted by her “running idol” Katherine Switzer. Katherine was the first women to run the Boston Marathon as an officially registered runner in 1967 at 20 years of age. Katherine’s run was controversial and made headlines when, at 2-miles in, she was assaulted by race manager Jock Semple while he attempted to grab her race bib and remove her from the field. Katherine paved the way for women runners and in 1972 Boston officially established a women’s race.
Bonnie Foley, long-time Princeton resident and somewhat of a newbie in the running world, at just 4 years, also took part in the Boston Marathon this year. Bonnie’s first running event was the Vanessa Marcotte 5K in Spring of 2019. That’s when she realized she really enjoyed running and has since completed 2 additional marathon events, both being the Hartford Marathon, which was virtual in 2020 and then in 2021 she was able to participate in the live event.
Bonnie was part of a Boston team which ran to raise money and awareness for Michael’s Miracle. The Michael Lisnow Respite Center, located in Hopkinton, is a place that provides emotional and physical support for individuals with disabilities and their families. Joining the team a bit later in the process, Bonnie was under a time crunch and reached out to family, friends, and coworkers for support of her fundraising goal, and they did not disappoint! She was able to reach her goal and joined 68 fellow team members in the race. “Boston lived up to the hype and more”, said Bonnie regarding the crowd support along the route.
Bonnie did do some training with Central Mass Striders, but also with a “Run for Fun” group out of Leominster. This group was instrumental in helping her train with informal runs and support.
Bonnie hopes to participate in the Boston Marathon again, however, right now has her sights set on an event in late July for Why Me & Sherry’s House, a grass roots non-profit organization dedicated to providing love and support services to families with childhood cancer. The event is in it’s second year, and consists of a 100-mile Ruck (Hike) over the period of 4-days (25miles covered each day), where the 30 participants will carry everything they need for the trek in backpacks which they also carry and then sleep overnight in tents at local breweries along the course. Bonnie is also planning to participate in the Marine Core Marathon in late October with some friends.
Bonnie enjoys participating in events with a purpose. “It gives you perspective of others.”
Both Kate and Bonnie have a world of support behind them and their endeavors. Support through social media posts, signs throughout the course and family cheering them on from the sidelines. Goals were reached, special moments created, and a sense of accomplishment from deep within showing and encouraging others that “we are more capable than we realize”-Bonnie Foley.