Runners Attain 26.2-Mile Goal in Boston

People from around the globe gathered to take on the challenge of the 106th Boston Marathon.

Of the nearly 17,000 runners who entered, 14,572 crossed the finish line.

Three of them were UNC seniors Emma Batchelor and Meg Harrison and graduate student Mandy Morrison, who traveled about 700 miles to Boston only to run 26.2 more.

Earning a spot in the famous race is no small feat because it requires a qualifying time in a prior marathon.

Harrison, a business major, is now a veteran. "I ran four marathons before Boston," she said.

Harrison had a coach for her first two races, picking up intense workout habits that enabled her to qualify for the Boston Marathon in October.

Batchelor, a psychology major who ran club cross-country at UNC for three years, said she worked up to running about 22 miles and sometimes trained with Morrison during the week.

"Training was a little more difficult for (the Boston Marathon) because of the stigma that goes along with it," Batchelor said. "But it was something I felt like I should do."

But not all of the participants have always had the same motivation.

"Running hasn't been my main sport," said Morrison, who played varsity soccer at UNC for four years. "But I started training for marathons, and I really loved it. I recognized what a great opportunity (the Boston Marathon) was."

Each of the women seized this opportunity to achieve personal best performances in the race.

In Boston, the women's winner was Kenyan Margaret Okayo with a time of 2:20:43. Batchelor, Harrison and Morrison recorded times of 3:11:08, 3:46:07 and 3:38:01, respectively, to finish in the top half of all female runners.

All three women said the best part of the marathon wasn't the record-breaking times but the crowd support. In addition to their cheering families, Batchelor said there was "a ton of fans along the way."

Batchelor even had additional support from her cross-country coach, Jonas Holdeman, who was on the sidelines watching his wife, Elizabeth, run, as well as offering Batchelor encouragement.

Morrison, who wore a UNC T-shirt during the race, appreciated hearing people from another area cheer for her school. She said she was motivated and touched by how many people cared, both at home and in Boston.

"How often do you hear thousands of people cheering for you?" she said.

The women said the training and race were painful and difficult at times. "The hardest part was the downhills," Batchelor said. "They hurt."

But they agreed that overall, it was a worthwhile experience.

"I really like running," Morrison said. "It helps me think clearer."

Because she uses exercise to relieve stress, Morrison said running helps rather than interferes with her schoolwork. "The training conflicts more with my social life," Morrison said, laughing.

All three women had times fast enough to qualify for next year's marathon, but they are not sure about their plans to compete in the future.

"I just don't want to run that long again!" Batchelor said.

But Morrison, like Batchelor and Harrison, said the sacrifices were worth the magnitude of the accomplishment.

She said, "I was part of a really great experience. I don't think I could even put into words how awesome it was."

The Features Editor can be reached at features@unc.edu.