Track Your 2014 Boston Marathon Runners

So it's finally here.  After God only knows how many snowstorms.  Weekend after weekend of sub-zero runs.  More injuries in one season than we've chalked up over the course of our vaunted running careers. And a year of remembrance for one of the most significant events in the history not just of running, but of the spirit of Boston.

The 118th Boston Marathon arrives this Monday.

And to help all of you keep track of your friends, family and loved ones who'll be participating in the event for the ages, I've compiled this blog post to make it as easy as possible for you to track the lot of us.

The BAA has rolled out its Athlete Alert tracking program to keep tabs on all of us.

To get started, click here:
Boston Marathon Athlete Alert

Or send the text to 345678

Once there, you have options to get text alerts about our progress throughout the run, or email alerts.  All you need is our bib numbers, then follow the instructions on that web page.

So here you go: our 2014 Boston Marathon E Streeter team, along with our bib numbers.

First up, is the runner I'm most proud of, for obvious reasons.  My son Andrew, returning to the finish line after last year's unforgettable experience that will stay with us forever.  He'll be proudly representing Holy Cross again and boasts the youngest pair of legs on our team.

Andrew is number 31360.

My fellow DisneyWorld Marathoner Barry Scanlon will be running in his fifth consecutive Boston Marathon, his seventh overall.  His humor kept us going on the coldest of outings this year.

Barry is number 31240.

Another fellow Disney marathoner, Tommy Scanlon, will also be doing his fifth consecutive Boston.  He's our Energizer Bunny.  Just keeps going and going.

Tommy is number 31370.

Sean Kenny makes his triumphant return to the roads of Boston this year after a few years off, but he's been logging the miles every year nonetheless.  This will be his third Boston.  And no volcanoes are going to keep him from getting to the starting line in Hopkinton this year.

Sean is number 31341.

Lowell Police Officer Nick Laganas makes this a back-to-year as well.  Like so many of us, Nick was at the finish line when everything hit the fan last year.  An Iraq veteran, Nick ran back to check on his parents and to try to help the victims last year.  He's running this year for the Wounder Warrior Project.

Nick is number 28048.

Joe Patuto was one of the 5,700 runners who got stopped just short of the finish line by last year's events, making it to Kenmore Square before the roads were closed.  Joe is another seasoned Boston Marathon veteran who's been eating the course up this season with his Beantown Bootcamp buddies.

Joe is number 33239.

Mary-Jo Griffin will be making her Boston Marathon debut this year.  She's come a remarkably long way, considering she just started running "seriously" last fall.  From a 5K to a 10K, to a half-marathon, to our grueling 18 and 20 mile winter runs, Mary-Jo just keeps on moving forward.

Mary-Jo is number 29997.

Donna Corbin is also making her debut on the Boston course and personifies never giving up.  An avid outdoor athlete, Donna added long distance running to her repertoire last fall, and has logged crazy mileage over the winter, all the while maintaining the most upbeat attitude of any of us.

Donna is number 29123.

Scott Graham owns the Boston Marathon.  He has run it 27 years in a row.  Yeah, you read that right.  He'll easily be the first among our ranks to cross that historic finish line come Monday.  Do I really need to say anything else about this giant in our running circles?

Scott is number 9828.

And last but not least, is your blog author.  This will be my 10th Boston Marathon.  I don't know yet how this one will rank against past outings, but I can tell you the build-up that's been in place ever since we heard that first explosion last April 15 and the anguish I felt knowing my wife and daughter were right across the street has lit a fire of resolve and commitment that guaranteed I'd be returning to toe the line in Hopkinton this year.

Pat is number 31359.

So there you have it.  Your 2014 Boston Marathon E Streeter running team.  Wish us all good luck.  If you're the religious type, say a prayer for our safe travels.

And to my fellow road warriors, it has been an honor to go into battle with you this fierce winter.  It's an experience I won't soon forget.  Enjoy your day Monday.

We Run Together.