I was ready to press the publish button on this story when the terrible news began pouring in from the Boston Marathon. A story from Mass Transit Racers wasn't important anymore.
There is not much to say coming from MTRnyc, other than that we support and are thinking of Boston and the Boston Marathon more than ever.
I thought about never posting this story, but that would be a disservice to many of the great things that happened yesterday. Whether it was the courageous response of everyone who rushed in to the explosions to help those in need or the outstanding community of runners who continue to support the race and the sport. There were many amazing acts of kindness in the aftermath of the bombing. Even just last night I had the privilege of attending a vigil where we jogged a mile around the high school track in honor of the Boston Marathon. This group of runners we are a part of is a resilient group. And I look forward to continue running with them.
Looking for bright spots in grim moments is one of our greatest qualities. And Mass Transit Racers was proud to notice Dulce Felix on Monday as she raced Boston’s T Train.
We can’t wait to join Felix as a member of MTRboston sometime soon.
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One chilly night in November 2004, a 1 Train halted to a screeching stop at 110th street in Morningside Heights. Just minutes prior, Jonah Rathbun, a freshman middle distance runner at Columbia University tightened his shoe laces and rolled up the sleeves on his shirt. A perfect mixture of his young naïveté and the cheap beer he consumed earlier gave Rathbun an irrational confidence: he was going to race the train from 110th to 116th street on foot.
The doors swooshed open and Rathbun shot out.
About 90 seconds later, he was the first person to race the New York City Subway and win.
One brisk morning in April 2013, a T train carried passengers towards Boston for the city’s Patriots’ Day festivities. Just moments before, Dulce Felix, a professional marathoner lengthened her gutsy lead over a formidable field in the 117th running of the Boston Marathon. A perfect mixture of courageous racing and serendipitous timing made Felix a hero to many: she was racing the T train along the streets of Boston.
A camera on the back of a motorcycle focussed on Felix with the T train blurred and out of focus behind her. They both charged on, Felix determined to keep the lead over both her competitors and the train.
Rathbun’s antics eventually led to the founding of Mass Transit Racers: a crew of runners all over New York City who run instead of using public transportation.
Felix’s race eventually saw her falter through the last 4 miles and fail to hold on for the win. If it’s any consolation (which we’re sure it’s not), she is the hero of many a Mass Transit Racer. She impressed the MTRnyc founders thoroughly.
And whether Felix knew it or not, she was the first member of MTRboston.