Kiss at First Sight: Strangers Smooch at Boston Marathon, And Now The Hunt's On

It’s like that classic rom-com set-up you’ve seen in theaters a million times. What starts out as a petty bet turns into pure, uncut love.

But this is no fairytale for Barbara Tatge, a Boston Marathon runner whose daughters dared her to kiss a stranger during the Wellesley part of the big race.

The challenge stems from a storied Boston Marathon tradition where men steal a smooch from a Wellesley girl along the route. But the Tatges reversed the custom: Barbara had to kiss a Wellesley man.

Tatge, a divorced Tennessee woman, accepted the dare and experienced a brief moment of lip-locked glee, but more than a week later, she finds that she wants more of the Wellesley guy who made her foot pop.

According to monthly runner magazine Runner’s World, the 54-year-old forgot to give the “tall, good-looking man,” her phone number. She told him of the bet and said she needed a picture to prove it. The stranger naturally obliged.

Once the precious moment ended, the two parted ways, and alas, he is nowhere to be found.

Barbara’s daughter Paige, who came up with the bet, told Patch that she wasn’t surprised her mother took to the idea so well. And along with the other readers gushing over the possibility of the two reuniting, she has her fingers crossed.

“It would be great if it could develop into something more,” Paige Tatge said. And in case the Wellesley man reads this story: “If you’re single, call my mom!”

Even if he doesn’t call, there is hope that the two will find each other. Barbara Tatge travels to Boston once a month for work, so if her cowboy in the Commonwealth does in fact live in the area then her wish may be fulfilled.

In other Boston Marathon news, Barbara Tatge finished the race in 4:15:21.

Photo Credit: Paige Tatge