At 10 minutes past 12 on a sun splashed September afternoon, Morgan and I stood 30 feet from the finish line of the Eliot Festival Day’s Kids Race. Poised next to the town fire station, the flash of blue lights indicated that the young runners were on the way. Five minutes earlier dozens of Eliot’s young athletes burst out of their stances to the words “on your mark, get set , GO!”. The age-staggered start was led by the 4 & 5 year olds.
As the police cruiser progressed toward us, the first glimpses of fast feet could be discerned in the distance. My heart raced, Morgan cheered. Then, suddenly the first runner burst into view, flying down the pavement on the heels of the police escort. The pride in my heart was too much too bear, the leader of the pack, #1039, was Sam! Seeing the finish line, a mere hallway length dash ahead, Sam turned on the jets and blazed to the finish, flashing a joyous, confident smile.
Minutes later, the 6 & 7 year olds came speeding to the end of the course. And like a flash of lightening, Jack tore past us on his way to the finish. His legs circling in whirl to fast to see, Jack completed the ¼ mile dash and collapsed on the grass, part recovering and part savoring the moment. By now I had witnessed 3/5 of my family running in a race on this brisk autumn day. Nadine had earlier completed the 5K course in under 35 minutes. With some training and lots of heart, Nadine made easy work of the winding country roads. At the finish, her eyes welled up from the prideful cheers of her 3 children and husband. By the end of the Festival, it was no stretch to say that my hands were callused, my voice was hoarse and my throat was dry. There is no greater feeling than watching my family members each strive to succeed, to accomplish their goals and to reap the awards of hard effort. Next year, maybe Morgan and I will complete the quintuple goal of finishing the Eliot Day Road Race.
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