The BAA kicked off some pre-marathon races this morning as the Annual Elite and Scholastic Miles took center stage at the finish line on Boylston Street. The Scholastic mile is only open to High School milers that live in the eight cities and towns that the Boston Marathon travels through. BAA Coach Mike Pieroni and his staff put on a spectacular event for these High School kids. With the exception of the prize money, these runners are treated no different than the champions on Patriots' Day. They are surrounded by photographers and media from around the world, they have personalized bib numbers, custom Addidas uniforms, and they even get to raise their Silver Awards over their heads on the podium. All this in front of a packed set of finish line bleachers. It doesn't get any better than this for the high school runners.
In the girls race, Melissa Lodge of Hopkinton won in a photo finish over Naticks' Sara Lagan, both runners were clocked in at 5:25.5.
" I knew she was there all the time. Then she came up on me near the finish line and I said I have to push, the crowd really helped me push all the way to the finish line. said Lodge.
The Boys race turned into a fantastic finish with Gabe Montague (Newton North), Tim Bolick (Hopkinton), and Corey Branch also of Hopkinton battled it out in the homestretch on Boyston street. Montague broke the tape at 4:34.1 over second place finisher Bolick. Montague, one of the best 1000 Meter runners in the state pushed the pace early.
"I started going real fast and then I realized I was going four minute mile pace and I panicked. A few people caught up to me and then I locked into my pace" said Montague.
After the High School milers finished the Elite Men and Women took to the starting line. Nick Willis of New Zealand captured the Men's Mile with a time of 4:04.3. The Elite Women's Mile turned into a 400 Meter race with Brenda Martinez powering her way to a victory with a 4:51.4 time.
All eyes will be on former Massachusetts State Champion Shalane Flanagan as she attempts to become the first American Women to win the Boston Marathon since 1985.
"Growing up in Marblehead, Massachusetts, I religiously watched the Boston Marathon and dreamed about what it would be like to run the course from Hopkinton to Boylston Street. I finally get that opportunity to fulfill this childhood dream, and I can't think of a better way to share this experience than with the community that raised me. In typical Boston style, I know the love and support will be overwhelming. I can't wait to show Boston what I am made of and become a part of the rich tradition on Patriots' Day." said Flanagan
