Today was the 112th running of the Boston Marathon. The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the world's most prestigious road racing events. The Boston Athletic Association manages this American classic, which has distinguished itself as the pinnacle event within the sport of road racing by virtue of its traditions, longevity and method of gaining entry into the race (via qualification). 
The 2008 winner in Men's Wheelchair Division was Ernst Van Dyk (1:26:49), the 35-year-old South African, who won this division for the seventh time in eight years. 
The winner of the Women's Wheelchair Division was Wakako Tsuchida (1:48:32) of Japan.
Another great story in this race is the Hoyt family. Dick and Rick Hoyt, a local father-son duo, have run every year for the past 26 years. Dick pushes his son Rick - who uses a wheelchair because of Cerebral Palsy - the entire 26 mile route from Hopkinton to Boston.
I volunteered for the marathon over the weekend helping to register the athletes with disabilities. I also got to see the storied trophy up close. It was a great time!
