For many, the dream of competing in the Boston Marathon is just that, a dream. Getting to participate in this historical race is not just signing up and paying an entrance fee. There are stringent qualifying times that need to be met in order to even be considered. There are ways to run the race without a qualifying time, but this requires large sums of raised funds to approved charities. It’s fair to say that running the Boston Marathon is for only the most dedicated and elite athletes. Many dream of participating in the event even just one time, but ICS’ very own PE teacher, Mr. Hulin (Mr. H), just got back in town from participating in it for the 5th time. Mr. H took place in the wheelchair division and was one of just 41 wheelchair athletes to participate in the 2022 Boston Marathon.
Mr. H first garnered an interest in completing the Boston Marathon because for many runners and athletes, this race is a bucket list race. He first competed in Boston in 2012. He qualified for Boston during the Utah Valley Marathon with a time of 1:53. Year after year it’s been a goal for Mr. Hulin to qualify for Boston and to experience all that is the Boston Marathon.
Mr. H went back to compete again in 2013, which was the year of the Boston Marathon bombing. This obviously had a great effect on all the athletes, and he knew he wanted to return after that awful event.
Coming back in 2014 and participating the year after the bombing was a powerful experience for Mr. H. To see the city and the athletes rebound and persevere after the awfulness from the year prior is something that will stick with him for a long time. A large part of the Boston experience is the spectators that show up and cheer on the participants. It is a large, rowdy crowd, with the entire city realizing the excitement and importance of this race!
Mr. H took a break from returning to Boston for a few years, but he was not sitting still. He completed an Iron-Man, which he says doesn’t even compare to completing a marathon. After this massive achievement, Mr. H decided to go for a Boston qualification again. Of course, he made it. This was 2020, and this race was virtual, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. H returned to Boston in person this year for the first time since 2014. Experiencing the camaraderie of one of the oldest marathons in the country is a feeling he is willing to pursue year after year. Mr. H is accomplishing athletic feats that many able bodied people will never even consider attempting. He has to keep moving. He desires to do so to stay in shape and to just keep pushing himself physically. Mr H’s “no excuses” attitude translates into his gym classes as he pushes the students to try their hardest to remain active.
When asked what’s next for Mr. H he answered, “Stay in shape and see what happens!”
Your ICS community can’t wait to see what you do next, Mr. H!