Matthew Burdette finished the 2013 Boston Marathon in 3 hours 8 minutes, about an hour before the bombs went off near the finish line. He said after everything happened, it left him with this empty feeling. “I felt guilty that I finished the race, and so many people didn’t”, Matt said. He wasn’t sure if he ever wanted to go back to Boston for the marathon, and if he did, it would only be under certain circumstances. After he saw a video featuring Kevin DiLegge running the Baltimore Marathon as part of an Athletes Serving Athletes team, he was inspired and thought “this is how you go back”.  

BOSTON MARATHON

The 120th Boston Marathon will take place this year on Monday, April 18th. Athletes and non-athletes around the world are familiar with the Boston Marathon, mainly because it “is the world’s oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the world’s most prestigious road racing event” ¹. Also, the “Boston Marathon has distinguished itself as the pinnacle event within the sport of road racing by virtue of its traditions, longevity and method of gaining entry into the race (qualification)” ¹. For unfortunate reasons, people may be familiar with the Boston Marathon because of the tragic event that took place on April 15th, 2013 near the finish line. Regardless if you’re a runner or not, you’ve most likely heard of this event and know of its reputation.

This year around 24,000 runners will pin on their bibs, tie up their shoelaces and head to Hopkinton for the start of the Boston Marathon³. This marathon is a point to point race, and ends in the heart of the city, on Boylston Street. Elite marathon runners from around the world train all year for a chance to claim the title as Winner of the Boston Marathon.

This year a particularly special duo team will be at the start line in Hopkinton for the marathon, Team Kevin. Team Kevin includes 34 year old Matthew Burdette, and 27 year old Kevin DiLegge. Kevin was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as an infant. Runner Matt will push his friend Kevin. 

ATHLETES SERVING ATHLETES

Matthew and Kevin met through an organization called Athletes Serving Athletes (ASA) in 2014. ASA is “an innovative athletic program for athletes with disabilities. ASA empowers individuals with disabilities to train and compete in mainstream running and triathlon events”⁴. Kevin and Matthew train with the Baltimore City group.    

I heard of Team Kevin and their hopes of making it to Boston a couple months ago. I was inspired by their story. I wanted to learn more about their journey to Boston. Matt ran the HAT 50k race that I ran on March 19th. I had a chance to catch up with Matt and Kevin. 

TEAM KEVIN

Q: How did you get involved with ASA?

Matt: My mom wanted to run the Ravens 5k in Baltimore a couple years ago, because the race ends at M&T Bank Field where the Baltimore Ravens play football. I remember seeing all the ASA joggers lined up together at the start. I thought “Man that looks really cool”. I wondered what that organization was all about. In the past, I raised money for various charities when I ran marathons. I wanted to give something back every time I ran a race.  Not long after the Ravens 5k someone gave me more information about ASA. I went home, pulled up their website and signed up to run a race with them.

TRR: Matt has completed a total of 26 marathons, including 3 Abbott World Marathon Majors (Boston and Chicago once, and the NYC Marathon twice). Kevin has also finished 9 marathons, including the Baltimore Marathon.

Q: How did you and Kevin meet?

Matt: I started training with our local ASA group and met Kevin there. By luck of the draw, we got paired to run the 2014 Charles Street 12 Miler together on a team. I could tell that Kevin got really excited when we passed people who were going slower than we were. I noticed that the faster we went, the more energetic he got. I went home after that and told my wife that Kevin was a lot of fun to run with and he seemed pretty competitive. I tucked that into the back of my mind.

Q: When did you decide to run the Boston Marathon together? Take me through that decision.

Matt: About two years ago I attended the ASA Bull Roast (an annual fundraiser for ASA). During the dinner portion, they played a video that highlighted some of the athletes, including Kevin. In the video his mom was telling a story about how Kevin used to get up the morning of the Baltimore Marathon, and watch it on TV. He told his mom that he wanted to run the Baltimore Marathon one day. She was struggling with what to tell Kevin. A friend of hers suggested they volunteer at a water stop. So she asked Kevin “Do you maybe want to volunteer at a water stop instead?" Kevin said “No, I want to run the race!” One thing led to another and Kevin was paired up with ASA. He has since competed in many road races, and triathlons.

After I watched that video, I couldn’t help but think that if he was an able bodied runner, he would want to run the Boston Marathon. Just knowing how competitive he is, I thought “I’m going to see if this is something he would like to do and if it is, we’re going to find a way to do it”.

Q: Explain the qualifying process:

Matt: Kevin and I qualified for the Boston Marathon duo team at the Potomac River Run Marathon on May 3rd, 2015. I contacted the Boston Marathon Athletes With Disabilities group. In order to qualify as a duo team for a charity spot, we had to run a sub 6 hour marathon. There are only 6 slots available, and they take the teams with the fastest qualifying time, and give them those spots. I think there were 4 spots available and we ended up getting the last spot. We ran the Potomac River Run Marathon in 3 hours 44 minutes together. I hadn’t run with Kevin more than just our typical ASA training runs prior to that.  We did the Charles Street 12 Miler, but that was with a team of 3 people.  This was the first marathon we had done together.

Q: Have you run Boston before? Tell me about your previous experience.

Matt: I ran the Boston Marathon in 2013. It was the year of the bombing. I worked so hard to get there. I really just wanted to have a good race, but also spend time with my family and celebrate the moment. I didn’t think I was ever going to get there again. I finished the marathon a good hour before the bombing. After everything happened, it left me with this empty feeling, like a sense that I didn’t accomplish anything. I felt guilty because I finished the race, and so many people didn’t. I didn’t know if I ever wanted to go back again. I remember telling my wife after we came home that if I ever went back, it would be only under special circumstances. When I saw that video with Kevin (at a later date) I was telling you about, I thought “This is how you go back”.  

Q: What is your training schedule like?

Matt: Kevin and I train once a week together, usually on Sundays, around 10 miles. We did a 20 miler together a couple weekends ago. We have been in a good spot recently with our training runs. They have gone really well.

We train separately during the week.  Kevin has therapy every Monday. He’s on this really tough elliptical-like thing that logs his steps. He’s really gotten into this whole training mentality now and every time he goes he tries to do more steps than he did the last time. I think a couple months ago his best was 2,700 steps. And then a couple weeks ago he told me he was going to do 3,000 steps, and break his record. And on March 21st he did 3,032 steps! 

Q: Do you guys talk during the runs or listen to music?

Matt: If you ask anybody who knows me, they would say that I talk to everybody. My wife tells me “You talk too much!” I remember when I first trained with Kevin, I told my wife after “I think I found someone who talks more than me”. We will go for a 10 mile training run and the time will just pass by so quickly because we will not stop talking. He probably gets a few more words in cause I’m trying to breathe at times

Kevin: I talk most of the time. We don't need music. 

Q: What is the funniest thing that has happened during training?

Kevin: I think it's funny when Matt leans over to give me a drink and sweat drips down on me. 

Q: What are you excited for with regards to Boston?

Matt: I’m just looking forward to having fun with Kevin and just sharing in this experience. I also am looking forward to just seeing Kevin enjoy it. I can’t wait to see his face when we turn the corner on Boylston Street. He’s going to be on cloud nine. If we finish with a great time, that’ll be good. But our main goal is just to have fun and enjoy the moment.

Kevin: All the people cheering us on!

Q: What has been your biggest obstacle?

Kevin: No obstacles. Nothing stops Matt and I. We even ran when it was freezing cold, about 15 degrees out. 

Q: Tell me about your charity and what organization you are running for?

Matt: The Martin Richard Foundation. They have a Challenger Sports program that is very similar to ASA. We felt that organization was a good match for us.

TRR: You may recognize the name Martin Richard. He was the eight year old boy who was killed in the bombings at the Boston Marathon on April 15th, 2013. In the days following the Boston Marathon, a photo of Martin went viral. In the photo he was holding up a handmade poster that read “No More Hurting People. Peace”. The Martin Richard Foundation honors Martin’s message of peace, by investing in education, athletics and community².

There are 66 runners representing The Martin Richard Foundation at the 2016 Boston Marathon. They are “Team MR8”. MR8 is Martin's initials and his sports number. Team MR8 is the official running team for the Martin Richard Foundation. Matt and Kevin are representing the duo team in the mobility impaired program for Team MR8.

Q: What is your fundraising goal?

Matt: Our goal is to raise $7,500 for the Martin Richard Foundation. We are about 80% there.

Team MR8: Matthew Burdette & Kevin DiLegge's fundraising page

Q: What inspires you? Do you both inspire each other?

Matt: I think it’s a mutual thing. I don’t want to speak for Kevin. People always ask me why I picked him to run with. And I just say, you can’t help but be inspired by this guy who is so full of energy, and he's always trying to get better. He’s also super competitive and you can tell he really enjoys each experience. When we ran our first marathon together (the one that qualified us), the time just went by so quickly because Kevin was talking the whole time. Towards the end of the race I told Kevin I was struggling a little and he told me “Yeah, you can do it”. Or he would say “Keep pushing!” He was really encouraging. He definitely helps me to get out of bed on those hard mornings when I want to hit the snooze button 3 or 4 times, or I think about sleeping in and taking the day off. He makes you feel like you can't do that, and you don’t want to do that. I know literally I’m pushing him, but at times I don’t know who’s pushing who. Sometimes he pushes me more than I’m pushing him.

"Sometimes he pushes me More than I'm pushing Him" -Matt Burdette

Kevin: Just being able to compete in races inspires me. 

Q: What advice do you have for those running Boston, or trying to qualify?

Matt: I think I’ve learned over the years that you can’t overthink your training. I feel like every time I try to overcalculate my training, I almost don’t enjoy it. And I think it has an adverse effect, whereas if I’m just out there having fun and enjoying myself, I tend to have better results. I remember reading a quote that says “90% of running is mental, the other 10% is physical”. I wholeheartedly agree. You have to find a happy balance where you can work hard, and still enjoy yourself.

Kevin: Work hard and don't give up. 

Q: What’s after Boston?

Matt: We actually talked about that during our 20 miler. I said “Kevin, I’ve really enjoyed coming out on Sunday and just logging the miles with you. I look forward to hanging out and talking. And it’s relaxing and fun…You know we’re still going to run or get together and do 10 miles every other week when we get back from Boston right?” And he said “Oh yeah, that’d be great”.

LAST WORDS

If you’re like me, you are inspired by Team Kevin. I love their determination, passion and competitiveness. And I love that they enjoy the sport of road racing. I encourage you to visit their Facebook page, follow their journey to Boston, send them some encouraging words, and even consider donating to their charity. If you’re struggling to find motivation with running and need inspiration, remember Team Kevin. Be grateful for the gift of running. And lastly, if you’re at the Boston Marathon this year, please look for them and cheer them on. Their journey to Boston is truly amazing. I personally am proud to know Team Kevin, and I wish them the very best.

Run grateful, 

-Jill M. 

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A BIG Thank You to Team Kevin! (Majority of photos displayed were taken from their Facebook pages)

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Disclaimer: I am an Ambassador for the Abbott World Marathon Majors. I am not sponsored by any of the above mentioned organizations. 

Sources: 

1.   http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/event-information.aspx

2.  http://www.teammr8.org/our-mission and http://www.teammr8.org/article/congratulations-2016-boston-marathon-team-mr8

3. http://www.baa.org/news-and-press/news-listing/2015/september/2016-boston-marathon-qualifier-acceptances.aspx

4. http://www.athletesservingathletes.org/