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When Michelle Ramirez, a research assistant in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, stepped up to the start line in Hopkinton, it was not her first time beginning a marathon. However, Ramirez said nothing compared to the excitement and anticipation of the Boston Marathon.
“Having the crowd cheer me on and yell the nickname I had written on my jersey was fun and entertaining,” said Ramirez, who was among more than 20,000 runners making the 26.2-mile journey on a day of sun, cool temperatures and good spirits.
Throngs of fans lined the streets throughout the entire race, offering orange slices, popsicles, water and lots of applause.
“The cheers while running up Heartbreak Hill were great, and so was being out there with the other Team Brigham runners,” Ramirez said, of the 126 members of Team Brigham who each raised at least $3,000 for BWH community health programs. As of Marathon Monday, the team had raised $325,000, and is well on its way to reaching its $500,000 goal.
Suzanne Leidel of Development, the team “den mother,” praised the runners for their efforts. “I feel so very fortunate to have been part of the team’s marathon experience. You all are heroes to us at BWH,” she said.
Kristen Foote, senior research technician supervisor in the general clinical research center, was pleasantly surprised by all the support she received as a member of Team Brigham.
“I signed up for Team Brigham to do something good for the Brigham community, and it was almost like they kept doing things for me. I felt like I was getting the royal treatment,” she said, adding that this was her first marathon and she would join the team again.
Members of Team Brigham enjoyed a catered pasta dinner at BWH the evening before the marathon. They gathered at a tent pitched in Hopkinton at the home of the Roughan family, who has opened their doors to the team for the past 10 years. Runners relaxed, stretched, loaded up on carbohydrates and decorated their team jerseys in the hours before the race.
“It was really great because we had the opportunity to get to know everyone and relax. The long runs were over, and we were all able to connect,” Ramirez said.
Brooke Welu ran her first marathon, but a severe stress fracture sidelined her from crossing the finish line. She was assisted by a firefighter and medics, who helped her cross the finish line before she was brought to BWH for treatment.
“I am grateful for all of the support I’ve received throughout this entire marathon experience, and I continue to be overwhelmed by everyone’s well wishes,” Welu said.
Ramirez encourages other BWHers to give the marathon a try. “It was truly inspiring and almost overwhelming with the support and response for the cause,” Ramirez said.
Editor’s Note:
Writer Julie Kane, above at top left with her family, has penned the Bulletin’s Team Brigham series over the past six weeks. She ran her first ever marathon in Boston on April 21—her birthday—as one of the 126 members of Team Brigham 2008. She trained with fierce determination and exceeded her fundraising goal, bringing in about $3,500 for the team, which supports community health programs at BWH. Congratulations, Julie!