Look Who it Was Random video

Cleveland Runners Prepare for Run to Boston, Massachusetts

115 views · Published 5 February 2014 · 2:07 · Indexed 30 September 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2014 · News & Politics

Watch on YouTube

A group of Cleveland runners are taking steps to help the victims of last year's Boston Marathon Bombing.  Frigid temperatures and strong winds are only minor obstacles for the group of Cleveland runners preparing for a long run this April.  I've never done anything like this, said Jamie Barks, so I'm training super hard.Barks is one of 30 runners taking part in a 1000 mile fundraising run to the Boston Marathon in April. When the bombing happened, it felt so personal because it was a community that was so welcoming even to a couch potato who couldn't run a 13 minute mile, said Barks. Barks vividly remembers watching on TV as terror unfolded at the finish line of last year's Boston race.When I saw the bombing, it broke my heart that they took something so approachable, you don't have to have a ticket to watch a marathon, and they attacked that, said Barks. It became something more of a mission than anything else and it goes right along with something we love doing, which is running, said Cameron Fisher, the co-creator of Run Now Relay. Fisher and fellow runner Matt Ryerson came up with the idea of the Run Now Relay.The plan is to have at least one person at a time heading north, pounding pavement, beginning April 12th.  Each person will run an hour a day, said Fisher, which averages between five and six miles.Their goal is to get to Boston on April 20th, 14 hours before the race begins. You never know what's going to be happening with construction along the way or any accidents, said Fisher. They hope to raise money for two charities out of Massachusetts that work with the bombing victims and their families. I just love the sense of freedom and energy that you get and I'm so excited to combine that with the fundraising efforts, said Barks.  Barks admits she couldn't run a mile 2 years ago. Over the course of eight days in April, she'll run roughly 40 miles through difficult terrain.  I really wanted to help send a message to Boston and the running community that we're still strong and we're not going to stand for that, said Barks. For more information on the Run Now Relay, CLICK HERE

More from this channel