Running Community Still Boston Strong 2 Years After Bombing
KPIX 5 Morning Weather Anchor Roberta Gonzales answers the questions you never get to ask on-air.
Q: Roberta, With today's somber anniversary of the Boston Bombing, I am wondering if you have ever participated in the Boston Marathon? - Lee Cummings, Oakland
A: Lee, thank you so much for asking. The Boston Marathon is the only race in the Country in which you need to QUALIFY to run in the race. The qualification time is based on age and speed. I have qualified for the Boston Marathon 5 times and enjoyed each and every experience.
I remember exactly where I was two years ago when I received a phone call from a girlfriend just finishing the Boston marathon, telling me thee had bee some sort of explosion at the Finish Line. Within a couple of minutes, I received an alert on my mobile device with Breaking News on the bombing. To be honest, while I was in disbelief, I wasn't entirely shocked. Since 911, I have been very weary of starting lines consisting of 40,000 runners. For years I have personally feared the dropping of a backpack, hurting and killing thousands as we stand waiting for our marathon to begin.
My darkest nightmare has been realized.
I have run a total of 30 Marathon within the United States, London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Portugal and Switzerland. Since the Boston Marathon Bombing, I do not run in fear.
My experience with the Boston Marathon Bombing and the countless fundraisers I have attended for the victims has taught me, one can not destroy a running community, only make them stronger. One can not destroy the American spirit, only make us more resilient. And on a day like today, although I feel a little sad and somber, I am very much, Boston Strong.
I would love to hear from you! Please send weather questions, observations and photos to me, Gonzales@kpix.cbs.com and I look forward to hearing from you!
