Race4Chase Team Braves Heat at Boston

The 2016 Race4Chase Boston Marathon team made a successful showing for the second year as six runners completed the marathon in Chase's memory.    Amanda Jacob and John Williams were both back from the 2015 Team, running their 4th and 3rd Boston for Chase, respectively.  Kristen Havey, Stephen Pelletier, Kelly Dillon and Curtis Keller were new members to the team, all running their first Boston.  Kristen was running her first marathon ever.

At the CMAK Sunday brunch hosted by Alma Nove Restaurant, the team was very excited to be finished with their training for the marathon and feeling good.  Zoe Schwalje and Jon Pleva from the 2015 team were there to lend encouragement to everyone as well as some young marathon enthusiasts and friends of Paul Wahlberg who presented their banners to the Team.  Alma Wahlberg made a special appearance to wish everyone luck.  The weather outlook was for a big improvement from 2015 as the 2015 team suffered through some heavy rains, high winds and bone chilling conditions.  As it turned out, the conditions were surprisingly challenging as temperatures reach well into the 70's and the runners suffered from the heat across the board.

Although the heat cut into the athlete's target times, it certainly did not curtail their enthusiasm or the enthusiasm of their supporters which lined the course.  Each runner passed the CMAK cheering tent on Hereford Street with a big smile and energetic wave for their fans as they entered the homestretch to the finish on Boylston.  Each athlete proudly displayed their finishing medal and recounted numerous stories on how Chase made an impact in their race as their bodies were struggling and they needed a boost.

Results:

Curtis Keller               3:26:09

Amanda Jacob           3:54:01

Kelly Dillon                 4:24:25

Stephen Pelletier      4:49:02

John Williams            4:56:03

Kristen  Havey          4:58:28

This Race4Chase team was extremely successful in their fundraising efforts for CMAK.  As of May 1st, the team surpassed the 2015 team fundraising, totaling over $ 23,000.  Kristen Havey set an individual record for a Boston Marathon member by raising over $8.5k with Stephen Pelletier just behind her with almost $8k. John Williams continues to show his strong support setting his personal record of over $3k.  We thank all our runners, their friends, family, employers and other supporters for their efforts which will allow us to continue to expand the Race4Chase Kids Triathlon Programs in 2017.  Race4Chase Boston Marathon Team Fundraising Campaign

CMAK is very fortunate to have these runners represent the Foundation and Chase in this prestigious event. We celebrate them and their accomplishment! as well as welcoming them into the Race4Chase family!! We look forward to seeing them again later this year at one of our events to show them the impact that their efforts are having on the CMAK programs and the youth that we are serving.

It is not too early to start thinking about joining the 2017 Race4Chase Boston Marathon Team!!  CMAK hopes to have two or more charity bibs for 2017, but will know only by the end of September.  For those that are fleet of foot like Amanda, Kelly and Curtis, qualifying times must be run after Sept 19th, 2015 for qualification for 2017 Boston.  Applications must be submitted in early September.  So if you know someone that has qualified for 2017 Boston, encourage them to join the Race4Chase team.  I understand that Erin Flanagan is thinking about returning to Boston in 2017.

We thank Amanda Jacob for serving as our team captain this year.  Now she can turn her entire attention to her wedding at the end of the summer.  We wish Amanda and Ryan all the best together!

 2016 Race4Chase Boston Marathon Team Fundraiser



A huge Thank you to Engine 33 and all of the firefighters who set us up on Marathon Day. We had our sweet spot again behind the firehouse thanks to our friend and supporter, Joseph Minehan, and we would also like to thank Joe's sister, Kelley Minehan, for letting us park at her work location. The Boston Marathon is an amazing event for CMAK Foundation and with the great friends we have made in Boston it is always a great experience!! From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you Joe and Kelley.

Race4Chase and the Boston Midnight Bike

While the Race4Chase Boston Marathon Team was tucked warm in the beds awaiting an alarm clock summons to the Hopkinton start line, some Race4Chase  supporters strapped on their helmets, flashlights and donned their reflector vests and took part in the Boston Marathon Midnight Bike Ride.  Rebecca Kowalski (see insert below), Nicholas and Jonathan Pleva and Kevin Grimes made their way from Hopkinton to the finish line at Boylston along the runners course. They joined over 1000 other cyclists, some with very creative costumes and custom bikes, on an adventure over dimly lit roads and chilly but deserted streets.  It was an enthusiastic group who congregated on Boylston at 3 am to get their photos in front of the finish line sign.

From Rebecca:

"Last year Paul Wahlberg told me about the Boston Marathon Bike Ride and how you road the same marathon route that the runner do. I was totally up for the bike ride...of course....assuming it would be on Tuesday after the marathon, during the day. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong! The unsanctioned bike ride was at midnight the day of the marathon. I was apprehensive at best but interested! As time got closer and it was becoming more real, I jumped in with both pedals, but not clipped in and ready to rock and roll yet. As we had our brunch at Alma's, my nerves were starting to get the best of me, and I stated as much..."Holy Cow, I'm nervous. We had a little rest after dinner with the Jacob family and then the Pleva's and I headed out to meet up with Kevin.  He had started at the finish line and pedaled to the start line to meet up with myself, Jon and his 12 year old son Nicholas to start our 26.2 mile journey. The journey was nerve racking at first, but, as I pedaled the first few miles, I grew more and more confident. So much so, I was speeding down hills and cranking up Heartbreak Hill with little to not much effort, thanks to my tri training coach Tom from Thrive. As we got into the city streets of Boston, I caught up with another cyclist who had a lighted disco ball glistening on the streets and blasting my favorite disco music through the very quiet city streets of Boston. As I took the turn onto Hereford Street, I recognized the spot where our tent  would be that day and smiled because I could finally appreciate the distance our runners had done last year and what our new runners were about to take on. With just the last few meters to go, I have to say I was so proud of what I had just accomplished. A little disappointed because we were not able to actually cross the finish line but the experience is one I will never forget and hope to be able to experience it again and again. What I knew in my heart was that Chase was with us the whole 26.2, just like he would be with our runners in a few more hours.  Chase kept us safe from pothole monsters and, later, it was confirmed when I found out this first ride of mine was done on the 8th anniversary of this event. See even when you're not looking for the signs but feel their presence, you can still get validation when you least expect it.