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Running for Boston

Posted at 11:23 PM, Apr 22, 2013
and last updated 2013-04-23 06:50:46-04

Monday's race hosted by Running ETC wasn't about finishing first, or making a fast time, it was about Boston.

The bombing at last week's Boston Marathon left runners feeling a need to help. Shirts with "Runners for Boston" were sold at $20 each, all the money from shirts are going to OneFundBoston.org.

"We had such a great response that we sold out of all of our t-shirts," said one volunteer selling shirts.

About $15,000 was raised tonight.

"I think we're going to be sending a nice check that spells out love to our friends up in Boston next week so," announced Running ETC owner, Michael Robinson before the start of the race.

Cardio was secondary, the run was therapeutic.

"Really wanted to help and this is just our way of being here and being from New England and being able to come out and support and say we support Boston and we know you'll get back on track and thinking of all those people in the hospital that are injured too." said Maine-native and Norfolk resident Gina Hutchinson.

Around the beautiful streets of Ghent, the packs of runners stretched out. The 2.62 mile mini marathon didn't have the Newton hills to challenge runners or the big crowds, but like Boston, it had heart.

"People were just handing over cash, saying I don't even want anything in return, just put the money towards the fund," Robinson said.

50 people were expected, the crowd swelled to much more than that, though the rain put a damper on it.

Bill Spruill wasn't deterred. "I don't think I'm coming out cause it's raining, it's cold and this violates my old age policy," said the 79-year-old Spruill. "But then I looked outside and I said well it's not so bad, my wife said won't don't you get out of her."

He jokes he hears that a lot. He walks with a cane, but he gutted out the run.