Reminder: Sunday Run on Canada Rd. to Benefit Boston Marathon Victims

[Editor's note: The following is an excerpt from a letter to the editor authored by Belmont resident and marathon runner Michelle Ladcani. The letter has been edited for length.]

Dear Editor;

I was registered for the Boston Marathon, [however] I couldn't justify a $500 plane ticket for a 2-day trip, and my children had lots of weekend activities, so, woefully, I decided not to go to Boston three days before the race.  

Feeling sorry for myself, I took the day off to get up early and watch the marathon at my parents' house. We had a great time rooting for the Americans and, for the first time, I was home and able to show them the route and where I normally ate a post-run lunch and other significant places for me along the course.  

One of my friends was at the 35k mark (22 miles) with a time of 3:42. Knowing she was close to finish, I texted her and said, "Looks like you're going to qualify for Boston next year!"

[A short time later] I went to check her time and was perplexed that her distance was the same - 35k - but her time was 4:18.  I thought maybe she cramped up or was having fun high-fiving people.  

Then I got a text from a local runner friend that said, "Are you still watching? Two explosions at the Boston Marathon."  

I turned on the tv and the first image I saw was an injured woman on the ground right near to where I normally eat my post-run lunch. I burst into tears. Then I saw the time on the clock: 4:09.  I run around the 4:00 mark and I started shaking realizing how different my life could have been that day.

My phone started ringing off the hook and texts were pouring in with comments (and some tears) saying, "Thank goodness you didn't go!"

Needless to say, Monday and Tuesday were very emotional days for me. All my friends were fine. My friend "stuck at the 35k" mark?  She was a half mile from the 2nd bomb.  

Why did I tell you all this?  Because I want to do something to honor those who ran, got stopped running, got injured and passed away.

There is a race to honor and raise funds for the Boston victims, "Heart and Soles for Boston." People can walk or run any distance over 2.6 miles and 100% of the proceeds go to the victims.

I will be running with a friend (who dreams of qualifying for Boston!) on Canada Road on Sunday, April 28, the marathon distance of 26.2 miles. We're starting at 8:00 a.m. and parking near the Canada Road/92 intersection in Belmont.

If anyone wants to register and join us you don't have to run the 26.2 [miles], but it would be great to see runners or walkers of any distance out on the road with us.  

The race website is:  http://www.tracysracing.com/boston  

Thank you,

Michelle Ladcani, Belmont