Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham - Boston Half Marathon November 2023
As I walked under crispy golden-lined trees to the tent to find my friend, a field of people of all sizes, colors, ages, and sexes filled my view. Some of them were chatting, others stared forward quietly, and many stretching or running up and down in place. All of them gathered like I was, for the start of the Boston Athletic Association’s Half Marathon race. The 39-degree temperatures indicated it was an autumn event.
The last time I was in Boston in a similar situation was April 17, 2017. Instead of golden leaves, there were small budding green leaves along the route where we gathered, spring was in the air, and the temperature was unusually warm and muggy with a predicted high of 75 degrees. The morning felt glorious as it often does when a cold New England winter is over with warming temperatures on the way. It lifted the mood off of the anticipation of a 26.2-mile Boston Marathon – the most historic running event in United States History.
Kathrine V. Switzer and Tracy C. Higginbotham - Boston Marathon Medals 2017
Not only was the air warm and the sun shining on the historic Hopkinton start area, but I was with over 100+ women (and a few men) along with Kathrine Switzer, “Marathon Woman” herself to run. I was anything but alone. I also had about six of my closest #261Fearless friends running with me – Deb Mills, Katina Wolfe, Dawn Foreman, Mary T. Callahan, Jolene Hong, and Inga Fanney from Iceland. It was a sorority-like feeling as we waited for the gun to go off.
Deb Mills (#9485) and Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham (in pink and blue) at Boston Half Marathon 2023
Yesterday at the chilly Boston Half Marathon, I was excited to start the race with my friend Deb Mills, whom I’ve run with several times since meeting in 2015 – in Boston for the marathon, overseas in Devon, England for the Women Can Marathon, in San Antonio for the Rock and Roll 5K, and now again in Boston for the half marathon. There is something truly joyful about running with a friend. It takes all the anxiety out of one’s system leaving just the juices flowing in your legs.
We hugged goodbye at the start line realizing we would each run our own race and time. We high-fived each other twice during the race as our paths crossed, and then hugged at the finish tent. We both knew that each of us had to run our own time, and pace, and plan to finish in time.
As we gathered for our own personal photos, a photographer came up to me and singled me out for a lot of quick photos. I couldn’t figure out why until he said, “You are a pacesetter for the Dana Farber team and I’m their photographer,” oh, I thought I understood why he was taking only my photo. I thought for a second, he thought I had cancer as my alopecia head sparkled with sweat from the run.
I wish I pulled out the paper I was carrying in my flip belt, the one with the 32 donors who raised $1,850 for my charity the Dana Farber Cancer Center. I typed up the list not only to carry them but to give me strength through their generosity. I kissed the list before I ran and mentally went through the list of names when I was in a quiet part of the race.
Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham - Donor List for the 2023 Boston Half Marathon Dana Farber Team
My friend Kathrine Switzer said it best, “If you want to see the good in the world, watch a marathon.” It is true. Not only do people support you before the race with donations if you run for a charity, but strangers support you along the way with signs, shouts, and high-fives. One man singled me out a couple of times during the race to tell me, “I’m proud of you, keep going.” I don’t know who he was but it felt like I had a special friend with me on the course.
At the end of the race, as my husband, son, and daughter-in-law hugged me, I felt the biggest support of all.
Scott, Tracy and Thomas Higginbotham - Finish Area
Krista Pioppi, Tracy, and Thomas Higginbotham - Boston Finish Area
No wonder humans run marathons, half-marathons, 10ks, or 5ks for charity, there are no downsides, only the feeling of doing your best to help and support others. Give it a try if you haven’t already and I’ll be there to support you if you ask.
