Volume 2 | April 2019

'It Takes a Village...'

Jackie Giarrusso, a member of the 26.2 Foundation's 'Team

Inspire', on what it takes, and what it means, to run Boston

Live from Limassol,

One of the 26.2 Foundation’s goals is to expand Hopkinton’s footprint by building close connections with the international running community. Foundation president Tim Kilduff recently returned from Limassol, Cyprus, where, as a guest of the city, he began work with Mayor Nicos Nicolaides (above) to establish a formal relationship between Hopkinton and Limassol. If finalized, the sister-city relationship with Limassol will be Hopkinton’s second such alliance, joining Marathon, , established in 2006.

Reprising his role as color commentator for the , Kilduff also helped call (inset) the 13th Limassol Marathon, on March 24th, a race dedicated to Greek marathoner Stylianos Kyriakides. It was Kyriakides who, against all odds, won the 1946 Boston Marathon and, in so doing, brought awareness and aid to war-ravaged Greece. Kyriakides, represented in the ‘Spirit of the Marathon’ statue at Mile 1 of the Boston course, was born in Cyprus, and trained for the ’46 Boston Marathon in Limassol. Read more here (see page 10).

Supporting the Spotters Network WBZ-TV (Channel 4) in Boston owes its compelling coverage of the Boston Marathon to many 'Marathon Spectacular' factors, not least of them the April 15th Spotters Network – student volunteers positioned along Please join us in Hopkinton on th the Marathon course who Monday, April 15 at the provide real-time stats to be ‘Marathon Spectacular’, an all- delivered by the on-air talent. day event sponsored by Weston Nurseries, Start Line Brewing ​Launched in 1985, the program and Marty’s Fine Wines. today relies on more than 100 students, primarily from high The party runs from 7am until schools along the race route, to 4pm at Weston Nurseries – on round out the rich reporting and East Main Street, less than a details that WBZ’s cameras mile from the starting line, and often can’t see. The network an ideal location from which to this year includes no fewer than observe the marathon and 40 volunteers from Hopkinton, cheer on runners. Come enjoy and over a dozen from live music, food trucks and Framingham (below). The 26.2 games and activities for Foundation is proud to support children throughout the day. the Spotters in their work. See the Network in action here. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. More information about the event, including access, is available at Weston Nurseries' site here. Event proceeds will benefit the 26.2 Foundation.

Beads for a Cause The Foundation relies on many friends and partners for success, such as Linda Waters, whose Beads for a Cause™ and Confidence Beads™ ‘Runners’ Collection’ – unique, Marathon-branded jewelry and clothing – help benefit the Foundation’s charitable projects. In Hopkinton, MA for the start of the Boston Marathon on April 15th? You’ll find Linda and her collection on the town common on Saturday and Sunday, April 13 and 14, and at the Marathon Spectacular at Weston Nurseries (see story above) on Monday, April 15. See more of her merchandise here.

In the Can

Start Line Brewing of Hopkinton has expanded its line of craft brews with a special-edition ‘Marathoner IPA’ to recognize the 123rd Boston Marathon and the work of the 26.2 Foundation. Proceeds will benefit the Foundation’s International Marathon Center project. Thank you, Ted Twinney and the Start Line team! Read more about Start Line here.

The Blue Mile ​ Starts Here

Hopkinton and Boston Marathon officials this week celebrated the ceremonial painting of the ‘Blue Line’, signifying the path runners will follow to Boston from the starting line in Hopkinton to the 1- mile mark. L-R: Hopkinton selectman John Coutinho; board of selectman chair Claire Wright; 26.2 Foundation president Tim Kilduff; Dorothy Ferriter-Wallace, chair of Hopkinton Marathon Committee; and Tom Grilk, CEO of the Boston Athletic Association. Grilk said the line will further strengthen the connection between the town and the association. See more here.

The 26.2 Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to promote and support the sport of marathoning, as well as health, wellness and economic-development initiatives through investments in innovative programs on local, regional, national and global levels.

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The 26.2 Foundation P.O. Box 820 Hopkinton, Massachusetts 01748 USA www.26-2.org​