In April 2003, Herschel ran the Yakima River Canyon Marathon. 26.2 miles later, he crossed the finish line in 3 hours 48 minutes. He placed first in his age division (he runs in the 65 to 69 age group) and his time was fast enough to qualify for the Boston Marathon!

With encouragement from our two boys, we decided to go to Boston for the 108th running of the Boston Marathon!

Our plane arrived in Boston Friday, April 16th, three days before the race. We relaxed the next two days, and got ready for Monday, the big day! 600 thousand spectators lined the 26.2 mile run cheering on 20 thousand runners! The starting gun was at 12 noon, and we were off! With 20 thousand runners, it was 13 minutes before he got to the start line. It soon became apparent that this was no ordinary Boston Marathon. The weather turned hot! At the start, it was 72 degrees. By the ten mile mark, Herschel noted the temperature at 80 degrees. It soared to over 85 degrees by the 17 mile mark. This turned into the second hottest running, of the Boston, in the 108 year history! Over 800 runners required medical attention, 400 were hospitalized. Almost all from dehydration related causes. Herschel managed to finish the race, and although disappointed in his time, 4:36, he picked up his finishers medal and retired to lick his wounds. Immediately after the race, he vowed to never run another marathon. Well, we've been home for a few weeks, and he's thinking he could have done better. He's going to run the Seattle Marathon to try to re-qualify for Boston in 2005. Won't he EVER grow up? Unfortunately, Herschel didn't make it to Boston because Peggy needed another knee replacement but he's still trying for 2008!!