Welcome to Wellesley, and ergo, Wellesley College, the middle stretch of the Boston Marathon that many claim is the most motivational and noisiest of the course. Also known as the Scream Tunnel.
But before we get there, a little Patriots Shade alongside the road, reminding us of the GREATEST COMEBACK OF ALL TIME AND THE GOAT TOM BRADY!!!!
Suddenly, from the side of the road, darted a friendly and familiar face - Christine Cole! Ironically, she hadn't immediately recognized us as we passed, but liked the logo on the shirt front, and then recognized Annie's smiling face on our backs! She ran to catch up to us! So technically, Christine ran in the Boston Marathon, right?
Can I just say how uplifting and welcoming it is to see someone you love along the course? It adds an extra bounce to your steps and sometimes gives you that needed adrenaline shot to motor on.
(Check our next blog entry for further evidence of that)
Speaking of friends, we found these two guys hanging out at Wellesley College. (It was legal.)
Welcome to Barry Scanlon making his return to the course he so loves and Steve Vachon, making his debut along the Boston course!
Now, for Andrew's FAVORITE PART OF THE ENTIRE COURSE!
Yes, the Scream Tunnel, or in Andrew's case, the Smooching Stretch.
He does it because they've got signs encouraging it. And this year, they were extra clever.
The guy should run for office in Wellesley, he's got the high-fiving down to an art form.
Heather, for her part, experiencing Wellesley for the first time, doesn't know what to make of her big brother. Not the first time that's happened.
Finally, she extended out to thank the supporters
Still working it.
Andrew finds the top banana at Wellesley
Yeah, you're reading it right
Most readers of this blog will have no idea why Andrew is lying in the road at the halfway mat. Anyone who was there for the original event will always fondly remember "The Fall." Andrew took the opportunity to recreate it.
Past the college, Andrew has moved on to inciting the crowd at Wellesley center
Barry and I have logged many a mile along this stretch of road
Mile 16, and it's our favorite fan along the course! Jackie was at her usual post, cheering louder than anyone else on the bridge over 128, as she's always done.
I can't over-emphasize enough what a powerhouse this woman is when it comes to supporting her family, even when they take on as crazy as an endeavor as running the Boston Marathon together.
THE BEST.
A smooch, and some words of inspiration to help propel Heather through her final 10 miles, and we're off!
One of Andrew's many favorite places to pose for pics. Sadly, John Piekos was nowhere to be found this year to capture an image.
Heading through Mile 17, Andrew is basking in the spray of one of the many open fire hydrants to help keep runners cool on this brutally warm day! Either that or he's still in LaLaLand.
Coming up: the legendary hills - this year, LOADED with friends to give Heather just what she needs to finish this bad boy off!
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