The Vermont City Marathon was a special experience for me in so many ways. My dear friend Angie had been injured during her first marathon attempt in Hartford and had to drop out. I promised her that we would tackle the Vermont City Marathon together, and I’d stay by her side from start to finish.
We drove up together and stayed at the same hotel where we’d stayed before. After checking in, we headed to the race expo to pick up our bibs and then did some sightseeing around Burlington. We met up with Suzy, whom we’d met at our first Vermont City Marathon. Suzy gave Angie a fantastic overview of the race course, which helped ease some of her pre-race jitters. That evening, we enjoyed a delicious pre-race supper at the Italian restaurant across the street from our hotel.

Race morning brought an unexpected laugh. We arrived at the start and wondered where everyone was—only to find out the race started an hour later than we thought! Angie chuckled and said, “I knew that, but I figured you two are marathon experts and had some kind of plan.” Suzy joined us at the start, and we all set off together.
Throughout the race, when Angie started to tire, I’d yell to the crowd, “This is Angie’s first marathon!” The spectators were incredible, cheering her on and giving her the energy boost she needed to keep going. Their encouragement was truly heartwarming and made the day even more memorable.
As we neared the finish, Kim ran ahead of us to snap photos, acting as our personal photographer. It was so special to capture those moments. Finally, Angie crossed the finish line, completing her first marathon. We headed to retrieve our gear bags, and I surprised her with a card and a 26.2 bumper sticker. She was thrilled, and it was a joy to see her pride and happiness.
Sharing this experience with such a great friend was unforgettable. I’m so proud of Angie for persevering and achieving her goal. I can’t wait to run this marathon again—it truly holds a special place in my heart!
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