Andover Track Raises Funds for Boston Marathon Bombing Survivors

As Americans, many of us felt the shock and sadness of last week's Boston Marathon bombing and its aftermath. For runners, the impact hit home on a deeper level.

That's why members of the Andover High School track team are driven to host a 2.62-mile run/walk this Sunday at the school track to support One Fund Boston. The event begins at 8 a.m. and all donations are welcome. Baked goods will also be available for purchase.

"To be able to run is such an amazing feeling," said sophomore Sydney Roslin. "To have that feeling be transformed into terror and destruction is unbearable."

Coach Beth Sinclair said the team was motivated by hearing the heart-breaking stories coming from Boston as the city became gripped with terror following last Monday's tragic blast. The event was spur-of-the-moment.

"(It's) just a way for the community to come together and make a difference in light of last week's events, and since we run as a team it seemed like the perfect event," she said.

Solidarity is indeed a particular motivating factor for the students involved. Since the bombings, runners showed repeatedly that they will not be deterred from large-scale competitions by the tragedy. Marathons in London and closer to home in Lansing over the weekend were problem free, and full of tributes to those impacted in the Boston attacks.

By nature, runners are a resilient group, said boy's varsity captain Joey Kemeny.

"If you're trying to defeat the human spirit, distance runners are the wrong group to target," the senior said.

Those willing to help, but unable to attend Sunday are welcome to send a
check made out to One Fund Boston to Coach Sinclair at 4648 Rolling Ridge Road, West Bloomfield, 48323.