Opinion column: How to show up for marathon runners
My sister runs marathons, and I cry every time.
I cry for the privilege to watch her determination prevail – I can’t imagine how much resilience that must have taken on quiet morning runs alone.
I cry when I see her cry in pain but then raise her arms at the finish line anyway and throw her body to the ground.
Like any challenge, why would we leave anything left?
But I tear up, too, for all the runners who surround her.
I’ve seen spectators propose to their runner at the finish line. I saw a sign once that said, “Sweetie, I’m pregnant! Keep going! You’re going to be a dad!” and another sign from a spectator, “When your feet get tired, run with your heart.”
That’s all you see this weekend at the annual Sioux Falls Marathon, a race with heart that’ll wind through Falls Park, downtown, around the trails and through our neighborhoods on early Sunday morning. You won’t be able to miss them, they’ll be herding everywhere, and we should be, too.
Marathons are a supreme showcase of perseverance in the runner and fellowship from the community. No one’s mad watching a marathon. Even the exhausted runner himself, in absolute frustration that it’s getting harder and harder, is swelling in hope because everyone is watching him. This is so thoughtful, he thinks as he sees us around the corner. So many people are here.
Can you imagine if we were not there to clap?
In one of my sister’s races, she got to our meeting spot faster than I thought, so when I parked and could already see her already passing by, I ran to her screaming and waving so at that point every runner looked. “I see you!” I said. “You’re doing great!” I yelled. “Amazing job!” We made eye contact for enough seconds that she lit up the way a child does when she finally spots her mom in the crowd at the Christmas concert.
What a face. What a relief to see support.
Jerry Palleschi, project director of the Sioux Falls Sports Authority hosting the race, says they expect nearly 2,000 runners this weekend, despite the heat. Although many are local, participants come in from all over the U.S. and even the world. Some are checking off South Dakota to run a marathon in every state, some come because of our beloved route and views, and some visit because of us, the crowd that shows up.
As a spectator, most every runner on our course this weekend will be a stranger to you. But not on Sunday morning.
Suddenly they are your child, your best friend, your neighbor or your teacher from high school, and all you want for that runner is for them to know you are proud, you are inspired by their physical power and you want for them to succeed.
When they run past you on the bike trail or at Rotary or Tuthill or Sertoma parks, they are on their way toward a medal, to a personal record, to their first finish line ever or maybe their last. We might not know why they are running – there must be so many private goals or inspirations – but we do know they need us.
And so be there. Make a sign, ring a cowbell, blow a whistle, clap and woo, yell for them like you are their coach on the sideline. And, as a tip, show up somewhere near the latter half of the race on the west side of the route. Mentally, everything gets tough toward the end. But, just like all of us, they need to keep going.
We may not know what a 20th mile on foot feels like or how to endure chafing or shin splints, but we do know how hard a challenge can punch, and, of course, the rally of a community spirit always helps. Be the community. Be the boost we all need. Be the advocate as they strive for something big in their life. Be the friend who’s there, and wave.
Let’s get out there.
Originally published in the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
