Running the Roxbury Marathon is an adventure like no other, it was a wild, snow-covered journey that tested every ounce of grit and determination.
The day started with a snowstorm so intense that Kim and I weren’t even sure we’d make it to the starting line. Driving through the hilly roads of Roxbury, our car slipped and slid precariously, but somehow, we managed to arrive just in time.

The first 8 miles of the race were an out-and-back stretch on a dirt road blanketed in snow. To avoid slipping, we wore Yaktrax on our sneakers, which turned out to be a lifesaver. The snowstorm made visibility challenging and footing treacherous, but we pushed through, step by careful step.
The second part of the marathon consisted of five loops, each just over a 5K. This looped format brought its own challenges but also a peculiar rhythm. After each loop, Kim and I stopped briefly to change out of our wet, freezing clothes—a small reprieve in an otherwise relentless race. Despite these moments of relief, the conditions were brutal. My face mask froze over, and the snow continued to accumulate, making the roads even slipperier with each passing loop.
The finish line at Roxbury is as unassuming as it gets: a single man sitting by an orange cone, jotting down times. Crossing that line brought such an immense sense of relief. The thought of giving up crossed my mind more than once, especially during that last loop. Around mile 19, I turned to Kim and said, “This is my last loop.” His reply? “Well, I’m finishing, so I’ll meet you in the car.” What?! His determination lit a spark in me, and I knew I couldn’t quit. I pushed through, despite the frozen mask and numbing cold, and finished that final loop. We finished with a time of 4:37.
When it was all over, I vowed, “NEVER AGAIN WILL I RUN THIS RACE!” It was too cold, too tough, too everything. And yet, by the next summer, there I was, signing us up again. Roxbury has a way of pulling you back in—a mix of the challenge, the simplicity, and the camaraderie that makes it unforgettable. The $15 entry fee, the snowstorm, the no-frills finish line—all of it added up to an experience that I’ll never forget. And despite my protests, I’m sure it won’t be my last Roxbury Marathon.
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