We all run, albeit different routes and paces, as we make our way through the marathon of life. Some run to get where they’re going, some run to escape where they’ve been, some run just to run. Upon the concluusion of Monday’s 116th annual running of the Boston Marathon, the race tragically was cut short as an explosion placed near the finish line was triggered by an unknown assailant.

The race ended for three, including an 8-year old child, in death and over 150 others suffered injuries as a result of the carnage.

“There is no doubt this is a senseless act that hits so close to home due to the fact that we runners are so familiar with the Boston Marathon and all of us have participated and attended so many road races over the course of our lives,” said Grand Valley State University track and field head coach Jerry Baltes. “It’s just so sad and disheartening to know that three lives have been lost and so many others are changed forever.”

GVSU graduates Mike Camilleri (‘01), Karie McDonald (‘11), Kylen Cieslak (‘11) and Sarah Gryniewicz (‘10) all participated Monday and although none were physically harmed, the impact inspired empathy from runners everywhere, the GVSU track and field program included.

“It was a tragic event that in someway affected all of the running community,” said GVSU distance coach and former professional racer Nick Polk. “The running community is a very connected group of people. Some of my closest friends were there either competing, watching, or working at the event.”

In a sport preoccupied with every fraction of a second, the results instantly lost their significance Monday. Instead of jockeying for position, it sufficed to simply be unified as a part of a larger group.

“The tragedy changed the perspective of the event for everyone,” Polk said. “Whether you had a great race or a bad race – you didn’t feel the accomplishment of the great race or the sort of selfish pity that comes from the bad race. You thought of others and the meaning behind why there are 27,000 other people running a marathon together that day.”

In the darkness of tragedy, it’s not always easy to spot the light of beauty. No matter color, creed, gender, size, background or shoe brand preference, those that put foot to pavement every morning, and those that take to the trails once every couple of years all share a bond.

“When you watch the video, it is amazing how many people ran to help and assist those in need when they had no idea what might happen next,” Baltes said. “That makes me proud to be a part of our sport and to know that there are so many people willing to do good for others with no expectation of anything in return. We all need to look in the mirror and ask ourselves are we willing to do good for others no matter what the situation.

It takes a brave person to be willing to do so, and I like to hope I would have been one of those people running into help those in need. It is so easy as bystanders and outsiders to be angry with whoever is responsible for this gruesome act and rightfully so, but as I shared with our distance squad this morning – we must all be bigger than the coward that is behind this by finding ways to do good for others when good is not asked of us. We all are able to do good for others no matter what the situation might be. All it takes is a little extra effort.”

GVSU will be in action this week as the Lakers are scheduled to participate n multiple meets between Thursday (Apr. 18) and Saturday (Apr. 20), including the Mt. SAC Relays, Brian Clay and Beach Invites, all three of which will be ran in Cal., and the Al Owens Classic which will be held at the Laker Track & Field Stadium on Friday (Apr. 19).

“My challenge to myself and all out there is to simply do good for others and find a way to make the lives around all of us just a little bit better,” Baltes said. “As many people have said since yesterday we cannot live in fear or stop our lives, but as we move forward it is only fitting to remember and honor those in the tragedy by doing good for others (friend or stranger) with no expectation of anything in return. I just wish it would not take tragedies like this to bring people together and to care so deeply for others.”
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