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[Beatrice1000]

“Marathon Man Returns to Boston,” by Michelle Malkin – 4/15/05

John Kerry will be the official starter of the wheelchair division race at the Boston Marathon on Monday, a Boston Athletic Association press release announces. As Marathon Pundit notes, there is "(n)o mention of his fabled 'marathon run' of circa 1980." (Hat tip: Ankle Biting Pundits.)

Previous: “John Kerry: Marathon Man”

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[Essayons]

The BAA (Boston Athletic Association) sure has insulted the wheelchair division of the Boston Marathon by having John Kerry as the official starter.

Hey, the race is in Massachusetts and he is one of their Senators and his daughter is running this year – for a charity. If that was the whole story, I would not have a problem.

But Kerry has had another “Christmas in Cambodia” like brain fa*t and says he ran the Boston Marathon – but he can’t remember what year!!! Where is that CIA guy Kerry talks about when you need him? Maybe he could find out when Flipper ran the race because no one else can remember and there are no BAA records that have Kerry listed as running.

As for Vanessa, Flipper’s daughter, who is running for a charity good for her. Maybe someone who is more familiar with Vanessa’s running career can help here since I have not found anything to indicate that she has run a marathon that would qualify her for the Boston Marathon.

Possibly, since she is “running” for a charity, she does not have to qualify.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1344540/posts has some commentary about Flipper, Vanessa and the Marathon.

Regards,
Dick
_________________
Essayons - Let us try - the code of the Army Engineer. Sappers First, the code of the Combat Engineer.

[FireFox]

If you're a member of a local running club, you can probably get in without qualifying. The folks at the
local running club told me this a few years ago.

[Essayons]

Boston Marathon/Kerry Update

The following information about qualifying for the Boston Marathon was found at http://www.bostonmarathon.org/BostonMarathon/Qualifying.asp

To qualify for the 109th Boston Marathon, athletes must meet the designated time standard which corresponds to their age group. Qualifying times must have been run after September 27, 2003 at a certified marathon. Seeding is based on qualifying times, which are subject to review and verification. All participants must adhere to the guidelines set forth by the B.A.A., USA Track and Field or foreign equivalent, International Paralympic Committee, Wheelchair Sports, USA, Disabled Sports, USA, and the United States Association for Blind Athletes. Qualifying times must be met in competitions observing these same rules. Proof of qualification must accompany the application. Participants must be 18 years or older on race day.
Qualifying times are based upon your age on the date of the Boston Marathon in which you will be participating.

I found the following at http://cbs4boston.com/bostonmarathon/local_story_104184806.html

Apr 14, 2005 6:46 pm US/Eastern
(WBZ) From a political marathon to the Boston Marathon, John Kerry's daughter Vanessa will be part of the big race on Monday. Lisa Hughes caught up with Vanessa today, and found out this is a very personal challenge.

So many people in her life have been affected by cancer, that she's taking steps to help.

Lisa Hughes:
”So this also filled a big void after the campaign?”
Vanessa Kerry, Marathon Runner:
“It did. The campaign was so intense in those last weeks.”

After months criss-crossing the country for her father's presidential campaign, Vanessa Kerry is hoping to cross the finish line to raise money for cancer research.

Lisa:
“You are going to have a list of names with you as you run?”
Vanessa:
“It’s part of the way that I fundraised. It’s like the campaign. This is not about me. I am running for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. When you make a contribution, if you want to give me a name, I would be proud to be with that person. I haven't quite figured out where this list is going to go on my body. But I will carry the list. It will probably have to be tucked into a sports bra.”

Vanessa was raised around sports. On mountains, on the water, on the ice… all hobbies of her father. He even ran the marathon once.

Vanessa:
“He has been calling me and giving me advice, which is hysterical.”

She'll be running with him in mind. This is her first marathon. While a knee injury may slow her down, it won't stop her.

Vanessa:
“It is going to be pretty emotional finish for me, because I am really running for both my parents who have had cancer. I am running for that list of names I am carrying and that means a lot.”

And she's raised a lot. 20-thousand dollars so far.

The Dana Farber marathon team is the largest one running this year’s Boston Marathon.

Regards,
Dick
_________________
Essayons - Let us try - the code of the Army Engineer. Sappers First, the code of the Combat Engineer.