Boston Marathon Weekend: BAA 5k

COVID-19, “The Rona Era”

This is the weekend. The 128th Boston Marathon weekend is here. This time , marathon weekend is different. First of all, our CEO, from Black Girls Run! is in town. Our organization is receiving the Hoyt community award from the BAA. To add to that, our first charity team will be running Boston. Lots of new things happening this weekend. From Saturday to Monday, things were action pack.

Second thing: BAA and Mile 21. Last year, at mile 21, the BAA called the police on the cheer section at Mile 21. Basically, cheering while black in the white suburbs became an issue. Fast forward to this year. There are new barriers and restrictions on the crowds. And the two running crews of color that were blocked from cheering from the police filed a discrimination lawsuit against the BAA and the city of Newton.

Third, the B.A.A. 5k and volunteering for 26. True happened this weekend.

Oh, this was the weekend for the Black Unicorn Marathoners and BGR Boston, being the host city had different events for our local ladies and out of town sole sistas and guest.

Yup, busy, busy.

This morning, is the 5k, which kicks off all the weekend events for me. I needed to be very strategic where I parked for the 5k. After I finished, I needed to get to my car and go from the Commons to Peabody Square in Dorchester. The 5k started at 8a.m. and volunteers needed to at our cheering location from 8:30-11:30a.m.

The morning was tight. I arrived early at the commons, around 6:40a.m. and parked by Park Plaza hotel, which is less than a block from the Commons.

While I was there, I was able to see my co-ambassador, KB on a couple of the Marathon Banners. Today was a beautiful cold day. The last couple of days, it had rained. No rain is a good thing.

As I walked around, slowly, people started showing up. The ladies started to show up. It was no longer me and the volunteers and police officers.

This year, for the 5k, our CEO Jay joined us. I had a good run. Actually I finished the 5k in 31 minutes. I was moving my assets. After I got my medal, I booked it to my car.

What I did not take into account was the 10,000 folks that were running this race. I started start running until 8:10a.m. It took me close to 10 minutes to get back to my car.

Part II

I made my way, in good time to Peabody square to volunteer for 26 True Marathon. BMR already had the tent and supplies ready for the runners. I was pleased to know that none of the runners had come by yet. We were Cheer section #4, which was around the 9/10 mile marker.

That was exhilarating to see the runners come through and the cheer squad giving them support. This race, ran in the city of Boston. They had bike support but no police support. They ran in the streets through traffic, cold, busses and cars.

It was a good time. Afterwards I had to go home for a couple of hours before heading out to the Reggie and Black Unicorn Marathoners festivities.