Run for Boston 4/17 - Today We're One Coast

Happy Run for Boston Day Everyone,

The Coastside Running Club and members of the Half Moon Bay International Marathon will be hosting a "Run for Boston" 2.5 mile healing run along the coastal trail at 7:15PM Wednesday night starting near the HMB Kayak Co in Pillar Point Harbor.

The CRC wants to say "Thank You" to everyone that has emailed saying they'll absolutely be there tonight, or running with us in spirit.  Our community is so supportive and fabulous. Like me, others have also expressed a delayed reaction to the events - especially our runners that were present or those that have run Boston in the past.  Even today, when I thought I had composure, I now write this email pushing back tears. Why?  I'm still piecing that together. I don' know entirely.  But I do know the running community is a huge family that I can't bear to see hurt.  I know if I were running (like I dream to do) maybe that 8-year old boy could have been mine. And those thoughts pain me dearly.

We know that together, runners are tough and resilient and so are their families.  We may sometimes train individually but when grouped together amazing, simply, amazing things happen. This run (and another that I'll touch on) is why we need to get together - to fuel some amazing healing and maybe a touch of understanding. Let's support our Coastal Bostonians, each other, and teach our community one of many positive ways to cope with tragedies such as the one that occurred during Monday's marathon.

In addition to tonight's run the CRC is also working the the Half Moon Bay High School's Track coach Paul Farnesworth and the school district to participate in Monday's practice (tentatively at 5:00PM). As a group, we're going to run 1 mile for Boston with the HMBHS track team to show our children that it's okay.  We'll guide them to heal through running and look beyond the TV images to a better place, a safe place. I encourage everyone to earmark this date too.

We've received confirmation from multiple sources that the reputable donation venue of choice is The One Fund. I encourage anyone that has the ability, nothing too small or large, to skip a cup of coffee or a new pair of running shoes and donate.  We can collect donations anytime during tonight's run.  Or you can do it individually online. Here's the url for donations:  onefundboston.org/ supported by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Boston Mayor Tom Menino, and the Road Runner's Club of America (RRCA).

We're spreading the word through the coastal community:

The goal being today, we'll share the gift of running = healing with the larger community.

Please help spread the word. Kids are welcomed but use your best judgement as parents to discuss the situation.  You don't need to run to participate.  Show up at the start and take part in the group picture and pre-run discussions.

And finally, today's run is a part of a worldwide gesture to Boston.  Wear your marathon colors of Blue and Yellow and we'll post a picture to the "Run for Boston 4/17" movement. A .jpg file to print can be found on the Facebook site:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Run-For-Boston-417/613135315380603

Enjoy the Day, It's a Gift!

See you tonight.

Franz.