SPORTS

Boston Marathon brings emotions for Indiana runners

David Woods

Blake Boldon wasn't near the finish Monday when Meb Keflezighi became the first American to win the Boston Marathon since 1983. But Boldon was one of the few who might have seen it coming.

Three days before the race, he heard Keflezighi announce he was there for one reason: To win the marathon for Boston.

"Everything he said was pretty prophetic," Boldon said.

Boldon, 34, executive director of the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, ran for Team MR8. Boldon, who once ran a 3:59 mile, finished in 2 hours, 50 minutes, 35 seconds. His team represented a charitable foundation established by the parents of Martin Richard, an 8-year-old who was one of three people killed in last year's bombings.

Boldon attended a Friday reception at the Harvard Club of Boston, where runners were stopped along the course last year. That's where Keflezighi — whose brother, Hawi, is his Fishers-based agent — delivered his speech. The evening's highlight was watching 8-year-old Jane Richard, sister of Martin, dance an Irish jig on her prosthetic leg. Injury from the bombing caused Jane to lose a leg.

"It captivated everyone in the place," Boldon said.

Boldon wore his MR8 singlet. From the ovation he received along the way, he could have been a Boston Red Sox hero in Game 7 of the World Series. It was "cathartic" for the estimated 1 million spectators lining the course, he said.

"Today for the 26.2 miles, the whole day, they didn't know me at all," he said. "But they cheered for my jersey the whole way."

Indianapolis native Lauren Pedigo, 23, Somerville, Mass., added:

"It was like a 26-mile stadium. Just screaming fans for 26 miles."

Indiana runners interviewed about their experiences were unanimous on two counts: The race was emotional, and it was necessary. Tension and excitement were "definitely palpable," according to James Goddard, 27, Fishers.

Boldon's voice broke several times during a phone interview. Kate Phillips, 25, Indianapolis, said she choked back tears throughout the first mile. Indy native Carolyn Riggs, 30, a Boston attorney, teared up over the final mile.

"As I hit the finish, to have them put the medal around your neck, it felt pretty incredible," said Riggs, a former North Central High School and Duke University soccer player. It was her first marathon, and she finished in 4:24:12.

"I crossed the finish line, so I think I'm going to take it as a victory," Riggs said.

She and Pedigo represented One Fund Boston, a charity established for victims and families most affected by last year's bombings. Pedigo finished in 4:19:46, also in her first marathon.

The 50 chosen for One Fund were charged with raising at least $10,000 each, and both have done so: Pedigo $11,255 and Riggs $10,025. Pedigo said it was "overwhelming" to be receiving donations on the morning of the race. An Indianapolis man whom the women had never met donated $2,300 to each.

Carolyn Riggs (left) provided this photo from before the Boston Marathon on April 21, 2014.

"Just an incredible act of philanthropy. Brought tears to my eyes this morning," Riggs said.

Pedigo saw her parents, Scott and Terri, at mile Nos. 2, 10 and 24. She also said she heard her name chanted along the course — "Lau-ren, Lau-ren, Lau-ren" — and especially by Boston University students in an area near Fenway Park.

Phillips clocked 3:01:46 despite developing leg cramps nine miles from the finish. She had "positive energy" fueling her, she said. Spectators shouted thanks to runners as they passed.

"It still felt like kind of a big party. But it was more like, 'We got this,' " Phillips said.

Charitable contributions and spectators' encouragement weren't the only sources of inspiration.

Pedigo said there was such a spirit of unity that she and other women in their 20s or early 30s exchanged hugs at the start, even though they had never met. Goddard, who finished in 3:08:10, dressed for Patriots Day in red, white and blue, wearing a "Captain America" shirt. His fashion statement didn't inspire the crowd as much as an amputee on Heartbreak Hill.

"He wasn't walking. He was running up this hill, and I thought that was amazing," Goddard said.

Michael Shirrell, 32, Westfield, said he was similarly moved by seeing amputees in the race. He finished in 3:07:10, about 15 minutes faster than last year, motivated to return by last year's tragedy.

Before heading down the final stretch along Boylston Street, runners turn left from Hereford Street. That moment "took my breath away," Phillips said. It was a wall of people, Shirrell said, and a wall of sound.

"I don't think I'll ever forget turning from Hereford onto Boylston," he said.

Call Star reporter David Woods at (317) 444-6195.