On Monday, Hopkinton will be the focus of the world as thousands descend upon the town to begin running the Boston Marathon. Thursday marked an annual event that allows Elmwood School students to take an active role for the pre-race celebration. Each year, a group of elite Kenyan runners stops by the elementary school for a pre-marathon rally. It is an event that has left an indelible mark on current High School seniors Kellie Lodge and Kim Bolick.
Elmwood Principal Ilene Silver, who was honored with a banner, was quick to point out that the runners who attend this event always manage to do especially well on race day.
"I expect you are looking at a winner," Silver told the students.
She also pointed out how lucky the students at Elmwood are to participate in this event.
"We're really very special," said Silver. "We're the only school that has this event. Elmwood School is famous all over the running world."
Since its inception in 1993, over 12,000 students have experienced Kenya day.
Two of the most prolific runners in attendance were defending champion and course record holder Robert Cheruiyott and four-time women's champ Catherine Ndereba. Both runners say that this event means just as much to them as it does to the star-struck students.
Those in attendance hope that the kids take away more from this day than just meeting famous athletes. Members of Tom Keane's 3rd grade class had the opportunity to perform a song and dance, which was so moving that the runners even got in on the action. Keane has a personal connection to Kenya and hopes this experience teaches his students about the importance of appreciating other cultures.
After the rally, the third graders met in groups with some of the runners and were able to ask them questions . Many of the students were very inquisitive, wanting to know about the lives, culture, and training habits of these elite athletes.
The afternoon concluded with both the Elmwood students and members of the High School track team getting the chance to actually go toe to toe with the runners once around the track.
Be sure to cheer on the elite runners as well as all of other participants on Monday for the 115th Running of the Boston Marathon. Check the HCAM website for information regarding marathon logistics and timing.
