By Jordan Bloesser
Special to PikesPeakSports.us

It has been three weeks since I have been able to call myself a Boston marathoner. While my race did not go quite as I'd planned, the experience was everything and more than anticipated. The rich tradition, camaraderie, and fan support puts the Boston Marathon on most every runner’s bucket list.

Perhaps because I was asked to write about Boston after my race, or maybe it is the similar age of the marathons, but the parallels between the Pikes Peak Marathon and the Boston Marathon are obvious to me, a member of the Pikes Peak Ascent/Marathon family. Let’s start with what these races represent.

Tradition, community, and exclusivity. The Boston Marathon celebrated 50 years of women running, recognizing Roberta Gibb, who in 1966 became the first woman to complete the race. This same tradition was celebrated in 2009 at the Pikes Peak Marathon with Arlene Piper, the first woman to finish not only the marathon, but the Pikes Peak Marathon. As a woman runner myself, I cannot thank these fearless women enough.

Community is found in the common bond of runners, the towns that support races, and the organizations committed to serving runners. At any expo you will find smiling and determined faces of runners ready to toe the line. However, at the Boston Marathon or the Pikes Peak Ascent or Marathon, you will find dedicated runners who have qualified for a spot on the starting line. There are so many stories of incredible feats and victories bringing runners from all over to become a finisher of one of the two most prestigious races.

What warmed my heart most was the starting-line town of Hopkinton, a small, quaint town, proud of its privilege to host the marathon start for 30,000 runners annually. Every shop and restaurant display signs of well wishes for runners. Remind anyone of another small town, home of a starting line? How about Manitou Springs? This community is integral to the Pikes Peak Marathon as it welcoms runners from around the world.

Additionally, the community established by the race organizations cannot be praised enough. I know first hand that the organizers behind the Pikes Peak Marathon do everything to provide a world-class event for runners. I am certain this is the same for the Boston Marathon. From the race director e-mails leading up to the events, the website Q&A’s, the finisher apparel, finisher medals, and pre- and post-race events, everything is focused on serving the runner and creating an unmatched experience.

The exclusiveness of the Boston Marathon and the Pikes Peak Marathon/Ascent instills pride and accomplishment in runners. I was in awe of how many different Boston Marathon jackets I spotted in the airport. Runners wear these with pride, I mean who wouldn’t. The same can be said about the finishers of the Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent. Previous finishers connect when they see a 14,115’ on the back of a shirt or jacket and instantly reminisce about the accomplishment and tradition they experienced at one time or another.

I now look forward to becoming a Pikes Peak Marathoner and connect at a deeper level to the history and tradition of marathon racing. Whether you have experienced Boston or Pikes Peak, I hope you have connected with the tradition, community, and prestige of each.