Sunday was the annual Jimmy Fund Walk to fight cancer, this year, with a name change in honor of "Bumpa," who passed away last month. The walkers were familiar faces and the spirit was the same, but there was an extra bounce in everyone's step in honor of Donald Nicholson. Maybe that explains why the pace was faster than normal!
Jackie and Annie (a celebratory survivor) did the half-marathon trek along the Boston Marathon course, from Wellesley into Boston. They were joined at Boston College, as always, by Heather and John. Here, the Fantastic Four give their thumbs up after making it through to the other side of Kenmore Square. (Notice Jackieand Heather bleeding the purple for Holy Cross.)
Heather - as always - rocked the best socks of the day, something that didn't go without notice from fellow walkers.
And then, just two miles before the finish, the foursome was joined by a surprise guest, on loan from the College of the Holy Cross. Andrew leaped up from the steps of a Kenmore Square brownstone, shocking the heck out of the rockin' walkers!
Andrew was determined to make the trek into Boston to support the fam, something he's done every year since the team started the walks five years ago! Here's a hug for his aunt, even as his mother still tries to figure out what her son was doing lurking on the steps of a Kenmore brownstone.
Either Annie is getting a congratulatory hug from her husband John as she approaches the finish line, or he's tackling her to keep her from getting into the Gucci store on Boylston Street.
Jack's got her two buds helping her finish things up
At the finish outside the Boston Public Library, the Team Bumpa foursome is all smiles
Proudly wearing her finisher medal, Heather adds some color to the balloons
My three favorite people in the world, all fashionably Holy Cross.
I didn't get the Holy Cross gear memo, but joined the photo line-up anyways
And finally, for those of you who were worried, yes, Andrew did manage to eat a smackeral or two at the finish.
Congrats once again to all of the finishers of this year's Jimmy Fund Walk, who helped raise more than $7 million to help fight cancer. But a special shoutout to team Bumpa for faithfully and proudly paving the pavement once more after a tough summer that didn't leave a lot of time for training. You done Bumpa proud!
A new member joined the competition this week, a freaky, sticky, wooden train conductor who stands guard at the now-gated Chelmsford Ginger Ale plaza. Here's some of the intrepid runners pre-race.
And like a flash, they're out of the gate!
An early leader, Mike Gilmore's not even stopping to enjoy the fall foliage. Must be all the trail running and training he's doing with the E Streeters that gave him his racing edge.
A beautiful fall sight - father and son, running side-by-side...
....That is, until the son blows his father's doors off and leaves him in his dust.
Finishing up a two-fer (and early morning run with Petey's Pack to start the day), yet still No Bananas gets the thumbs up!
The No Bananas Maven herself, finishing strong!
A father-mother-and-son trio finish up, and yet again, Finn beats dad in.
Post-race, basking in their glorious victory, the E Streeters extended family is ready for the next edition, weather-permitting, in December!
Ever wonder what the Kenyans wear for footwear in inclement weather? Hint: it's not Market Basket bags.
Who's number 1? Why that would be last year's winner. Who finished second last year? Who knows.
And they're off!
From the John Piekos school of running: Always know where the camera is.
Making his way into the Bedford quad, finishing a healthy 3rd in this year's race, is Scott:
Carlos, holding his own. Where did he finish last year?
Racemaster Jonathan
Sean gets a high-five from his cheering section
Tommy's not going to let this guy pass him at the finish line.....is he?
Barry holds off the young challenger
Wearing the Holy Cross purple: 
Making a return to the running circuit, the most beautiful girl in the race:
The husband-and-wife tandem of Kris and Jen Pisarik. She's pulling him across the finish.
Scott poses for his mugshot.
And Heather takes top prize. At least in my eyes.
Great job all, see you next October!