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October 10, 2005
Senior beats goal, finishes Twin Cities Marathon
It’s fairly safe to assume that everyone at some point formulates a mental checklist of things to accomplish before our swift lives on this planet end. These theoretical plans range from traveling the world, meeting a celebrity, or in the case of senior Rachel Wyman, running the 26.2 mile Twin Cities Marathon.
She hasn’t run track or cross country, but her decision to partake in the autumn event wasn’t exactly made on a whim either. Wyman trained throughout the summer months for the marathon, with the goal of completing it in five hours.
Her thrill of racing down the metropolitan streets was intensified as she approached mile marker 24. Waiting on the large lawn behind homemade signs was a cluster of familiar Hamline faces. Among them was a newer face on campus, President Linda Hanson.
Hanson and her husband Laird hosted the gathering of Wyman’s supporters on the front lawn of their house along Summit Avenue. As Wyman sped by, the sound of the crowd echoing shouts of her name and encouragement from her peers and Hanson herself really spoke for the idea of community on Hamline’s campus.
One onlooker, junior Ann Engebretson said “I was really proud of Rachel, but I think I was just as proud of the Hamline community who came to President Hanson’s lawn to cheer her on. Even Kokie, Hanson’s dog was cheering Rach on.”
The marathon finisher herself was overjoyed to see so many supporters.
Wyman said, “It was really great to see all my friends at the President’s house. That’s a big thing about this school; it really felt as though my Hamline family was there to encourage me.”
The section designated for Pipers had been roped off by the president. She even constructed her own sign to applaud Wyman’s feat. Everyone was so impressed by the energy they had, especially when Rachel ran by the group towards the end of her marathon.
“President Hanson was totally supportive, and she invited everyone in for drinks afterwards - nonalcoholic of course. She also sent me an e-mail congratulating my run,” Wyman said.
Not just the Hamline students, but the crowd in general was supportive and enthusiastic. Another of Rachel’s memorable moments in the race was when she ran by a boy who stuck his hand out seeking a high five. She slapped his hand and heard him yell “she touched my hand!”
Wyman does not have any immediate intentions of competing in any more upcoming marathons. This particular marathon was just an ambition she yearned for, and one she successfully completed. The run began at the Metrodome and ended at the State Capitol; as she crossed the finish line 26.2 miles later, Wyman was clocked in at 4:58:49 - over a minute under her goal time of five hours.
Posted by msveum at October 10, 2005 11:26 PM
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