Folks,

I just wanted to take a second to thank everyone involved with me
getting the chance to do THE race. Everything about it lived up to my
expectations. I've heard folks say how the weather hurt the crowds and
I suppose that may be true. Even so there were more spectators who
were more enthusiastic than any other race I've done.

I especially want to thank whoever it is, Justin or Donald or whoever,
who has the in with the God of Sporting Event Weather. Thanks to your
intercessions on the behalf of us from the south, what should have
been thoroughly miserable conditions turned into as close to perfect
conditions as I've seen. I suspect some Sox fans thank you as well.

Thanks to our hosts in Hopkinton for opening their home to us. Your
graciousness and hospitality were greatly appreciated as well.

One group of volunteers deserve special thanks. All the volunteers
were exceptional but those poor men and women who get stuck with
cleaning up the mess during the race, raking up the gatorade cups...
in my opinion we can hardly thank them enough.

When all things are said and done I had a great time in your fair part
of the country... and since I knocked nearly three minutes off my PR,
I had a great time as well.

Thanks.

Stephen
--- In newalkers@yahoogrou ps.com, Donald Smith <dlanod20022002@ ...> wrote:
>
> This is a great day for a marathon. Wish I have a nickel for every
mile I ran/walked in weather like this. Well, welcome to New England
folks and now you can get a real taste of what it is like. On a day
like this, we surely find out who is an athlete and who is being
fashionable. Lets pray for those who are from the south and not
knowing what they are getting into.
>