The Boston Marathon is a cultural event which draws hundreds of thousands from across the world into the city and surrounding areas to cheer on runners in a grueling 26.2 mile course. On April 21, the 129th celebration took place with more than 31,000 participants entering the race including Brandeis Track and Field coach Michael Schmidt. This being his third marathon of the year, Schmidt ran at an impressive 5:53 minutes a mile pace, placing within the top 350 finishers. His final time of 2:33:53 was 29 minutes behind overall winner John Korir of Kenya who finished after 2:04:45 hours of running. 

Other Brandeis athletic staff who have run the marathon in the past include Fitness Coordinator Kat Page, Intramural Sport and Department Administrator Julie Mizraji and men’s soccer Head Coach Gabe Margolis. Schmidt spoke of the three in an interview with Brandeis Athletics stating, “It feels it’s cool to be part of an athletic department that has people who are motivated to continue to challenge themselves … they’re all excited about having the communal experience of doing something that they’ve done before, racing marathons, especially Boston.”

In the female division of the marathon, Sharon Lokedi of Kenya ran for 2:17:22 hours, breaking an 11 year record for fastest time for a woman to complete the marathon. Runner up Hellen Obiri and third place Yalemzerf Yehualaw also finished before the previous record. Meanwhile, wheelchair racing celebrated its 50th anniversary of participation in the marathon with Marcel Hug of Switzerland taking the win at 1:21:34 hours for his eighth first place finish in the men’s division. Additionally this year, the nonbinary division welcomed 76 participants after its addition in 2023 making this the highest registration rate for the category. 

Throughout the day the Brandeis Emergency Medical Corps assisted  at medical tents across the 26.2 mile long course. While most of their duties included treating runners for dehydration and cramps, the Corps have a history of extraordinary care at the event. When the Boston Marathon Bombings took place, Yedidya Ben-Avie ’15 witnessed the explosion firsthand. Using his knowledge and experience from working with BEMCo he directed bystanders away from the blast zone and, with no instruction to stay back, began to help the direly injured. At this year’s marathon, BEMCo volunteers continued their efforts to protect and treat all those participating in and observing the race. 

Also on that tragic day in 2013, former Brandeis Club Sports Coordinator Matthew Callahan’s cousin Marc Fucarile lost his right leg in the explosion. Since then, he and his family, including Callahan, have run the marathon raising funds to support the mobility impaired and their caretakers. In 2023 The Remarcable Foundation was founded, forming annual teams to run, or wheel, the marathon honoring those killed or injured 12 years ago. 

Thankfully, clear skies dominated the 129th marathon and made for a particularly cheerful event. At the finish line, celebrating last week’s 250th anniversary of the battle of Lexington and Concord, a Paul Revere impersonator christened the course. With similarly fun intentions, viewers and runners took the chance to wear bold colors, costumes, and hold encouraging and comedic signs. Many represented their nation, universities, or running clubs in the process including Brandeis whose presence remains on the course and the sidelines through our amazing staff and volunteers.