Race day is always my favorite day. It is the day all your hard work pays off. It is the day your efforts are put on display. It is the day our city rallies around the sport that has touched so many. It is the day that reminds me and my staff of why we love doing what we do.
Seeing you all off as you left the hotel filled me with such pride. I am always touched by MIT's energy on race day, and this year your energy and passion caught me a bit off guard causing me to stumble over my words a bit. Nevertheless, it was great seeing so many of you ready to lay everything on the line.
On the course, you didn't dissappoint! You pushed through the doubt. You fought back when your mind said no. You showed tremendous heart, and I am extremely prouf of each of.
Yesterday was expecially moving for me as I tracked my brother down in Upper Arlington and ran stride for stride with him on his way to a 12-minute PR! I called my wife immediately after crossing the finish to ask if she knew where our mom was, and as luck had it she finished just as Jacqueline looked up her results, setting a PR of her own!
I sat on the brick wall with many of you waiting for the last of our MITers to finish. Sitting there cheering with you all was the perfect ending to a great day! Watching Coach Ron bounce back and finish strongly after he swore he'd never run another marathon after last year's experice was nothing short of inspiring. While running with Andy, we passed by James who had hit a rough patch, and he too fought back with a vengence to finish a spectacular race! I helped Tim get Priya and Ethan over the wall just in time to cheer Hannah on to the finish her marathon. Theses and countless examples are why I love what I do each and every day, and I can't wait to do it all again next season!
Congratulations, and thank you for an amazing season!
Jeff