Boston: A Show Of Support Winnipeg Style
When a idea is proposed among the running masses of Winnipeg, the community comes together and 'Runs' with it like no other.
 After the tragic events that transpired during the storied Boston Marathon this week, the show of support, strength and unity from the running community around the world has been staggering. Runners from all walks of life, the elites to the recreational runners showed support by either completing a personal tribute run or a show of the Runner’s Spirit by the wearing of a race event t-shirt today, myself included. Both speak volumes about the passion and comradery of the running community as a whole.
Locally in Winnipeg, something special was happening Tuesday morning as some amazing people took it upon themselves to organize an event to help in the healing process of a community still in shock. One of our local radio stations, Virgin 103 and their morning show, Ace Burpee, Crissy Troy and LTI, started the ball rolling by contacting some of the local event coordinators to see what could be done on short notice.
 Ace summed it up with this, “In Winnipeg – our first reaction to anything like what occurred in Boston is “what can we do?”. So we did something. The turnout and reaction was incredible.”
That they did and more, as John Ford and his crew from Swamp Donkey Adventure Racing, Jonathan Torchia of the WFPS Half and Kathy from the Running Room sprang into action and started making arrangements. Literally in a couple of hours, the details were coming together including the time and the all important venue was finalized.  All they needed was the runners to show up and the rest would take care of itself. That was when the magic started, emails were sent out with the plans, social media sites lite up like Christmas trees as word spread around the dedicated Winnipeg running community.
I am not sure how many participants that they expected to take part, but the response was astonishing to say the least. 400 runners and walkers converged on Assiniboine Park at 5:30 pm with little to no notice to show their support for not only Boston but for the spirit of the marathon and the running community alike. It was not a solemn event, this was a celebration, a message to those responsible saying, “If you are trying to defeat the human spirit, marathoners are the wrong group to target.” In my opinion, I believe they achieved it. The spirit and comrodere was second to none as the runners in all shapes and sizes headed out for a heart filled 5km loop of the park.
 The response was incredible as runners of all levels, from walkers to Boston Marathoner’s headed out together with what appeared to be a sigh of relief.  They were finally able to show their support even if it was in a small way for a city, a community and a sport that they hold close to their hearts. There was laughing, cheering, smiles and in some cases tears as all the pent up emotions of this group of runners came spilling out in one last collective gasp. Leslie said it perfectly with the following sentiment, “I’m proud to be a runner today, tomorrow and always.  I ran my heart out for Boston yesterday and in it I healed my own.” The healing was underway, the knowledge that no one could put a stop to the spirit of the run, no matter how hard they tried. We would all ‘RUN ON’ and the Boston Marathon will be back bigger and stronger than ever.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvlOMCypFjk[/youtube]
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