The volunteer of the Twin Cities Marathon John Cage knows what it is to rush from the corral to start a race. He directed five of the main marathons in the world this year.
But Cage, 37, who was resting to participate in the next weekend marathon in Chicago, was held on the other side of the metal barriers at the start of the twin cities marathon, considering that thousands of others took place for a few hours of heat, sweating and adrenaline.
“Half of the reason I am here is to get contact with the runners,” said Cage smiling.
Thousands of people participated in the twin cities marathon this weekend, winding in front of the lakes chain and the Mississippi river before making a way to the Capitol in St. Paul. But many other runners, like cage, were seated on the sidelines.
Rhys Walsh, a sprinter for Two Rivers High School, held his mother’s hand on the racing barriers while his mother was heading for the starting line. The 17 -year -old had homework to do and did not run on Sunday. Her mother, who celebrated her birthday, had thought that she was running a 10 km, which is a little more than six miles, to discover Sunday morning that she had registered on 10 miles.
Walsh said she was generally panicked before shopping, and her mother is the one that would soothe her. Sunday gave Walsh a chance to repay the favor.
“It was special because it was a chance to do what she does for me,” said Walsh.
The absence of AJ Lannerd of the race was not as intentional. While the 26 -year -old was held near the starting line on Sunday morning, he wore a gray tank top and shorts and seemed almost as if he was ready to run.
