Newton Together: City To Rally During Different Kind Of Marathon

NEWTON, MA — Every day since the Boston Marathon began in 1897, runners have taken their mark and run a course on Patriots' Day that takes them through Newton. Thousands of people pour out into the streets to watch and cheer on runners as they make their way up Heartbreak Hill, helping buoy them as they go.

But this year, as the commonwealth runs a different marathon — one that involves physical distancing, working from home and staying away from friends and neighbors in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus — one Newton resident is rallying to keep her fellow Newtonians buoyed. And the city is leading the charge with her.

Although the Boston Marathon has been postponed until September, the city is inviting all Newtonians on Patriots' Day, what is normally Marathon Monday, to post handmade signs to read "NewtonTogether" in windows and online.

"Just because we can't gather for the marathon this year doesn't mean we can't connect," reads an event description on the city's Facebook event. The idea is that Newtonians will tag a photo of their sign with #NewtonTogether and post it to social media, and that seeing signs both in neighbors' windows and online will help people feel just a little closer to each other and proud to be living in Newton.

"I'm hoping that people who are taking a walk by themselves will feel a bit of reassurance — maybe it will bring a smile to someone's face under their mask," said Rakashi Chand, who has lived in Newton since 2011. "It's just a way to bring us together within our neighborhoods."

Chand and family, including her two children — her son, Sarun, 11, attends Countryside, and her 12-year-old daughter, Sarina, goes to Brown — would normally be out cheering for the runners on Marathon Monday with signs. Her cousin is a runner, and that would mean her family would either be out cheering for him or one of his friends and, of course, grilling.

"Our city is so involved in Marathon Monday and Patriots' Day," said Chand, who is a librarian at the Massachusetts Historical Society. "Everyone goes out, and it's such a big deal. Everyone is lining the street, and there's this wonderful feeling of community, and it brings us all together."

But with the marathon postponed until September, Chand wondered if there wasn't a way for residents in Newton to connect in a way that could reach across generations at a time when they might need it most.

The latest numbers released by the state indicate that 1,108 people have died across the commonwealth and there are 29,918 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. In Newton on Wednesday, the number of deaths rose to 15 and 360 people tested positive for the virus. The governor has said repeatedly that this is just the beginning of a surge of cases here.

And then it hit her: signs. On Marathon Monday, many people hold signs to cheer on the runners. This could be something that anyone young or old could get excited about and bring Newtonians together — metaphorically.

She reached out to the mayor's office April 10 and, within five days, the city had endorsed the one-day Newton initiative and set to get the word out. Less than 24 hours after the mayor announced it, more than 150 people have indicated they may participate.

Friends have reached out and told Chand they think it's a great idea.

"I'm a little embarrassed," she told Patch. "I just wanted to create something positive for the community."

The important thing, she said, is that people see it as the uplifting symbol it's meant to be.

"It's a hard situation, especially for those who feel very lonely right now," Chand said. "But together, we can get through this."

Read more about happenings around Newton and nearby:

• Coronavirus In Newton: Cases Rise To 360, Deaths Hit 25
• Boston Marathon Bombings: City Marks 7th Anniversary Online
• Newton Coronavirus: Assisted Living Facility Deaths Rise To 15
• Newton-Wellesley Hospital Celebrates Milestone Amid Coronavirus
• It's A Boy: Newton City Councilor Auchincloss, Wife Welcome Baby

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).