SAINTS HOST MINI-THON FOR BOSTON

This weekend, members of Emmanuel's track & field program will look to measure their support for the Boston Marathon tragedy in the best way they know how: On the track.

And they need your help.

The team will host the "Saints Mini-thon for Boston" on Saturday, April 27^th, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. on the Roberto Clemente Field track, located across the street from Emmanuel's campus. Participants will be asked to run or walk for up to an hour and keep track of their laps. The goal of the event will be to determine how many marathons the community can run collectively in support of those affected by the tragedy.

The event will also serve to raise money for the One Fund Boston. All members of the greater Emmanuel community and Colleges of the Fenway are welcome. Participants are encouraged to wear blue and yellow in support of this year's official Boston Marathon colors or just "Boston pride" gear, such as Red Sox, Celtics or Bruins jerseys.

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For the Saints track & field athletes, the event serves not only to honor the victims of the tragedy, but the Boston Marathon itself, which holds special meaning for many of the team members who volunteer with the race every year. Head Coach Tony DaRocha and Assistant Coach Alice Kramer have long been associated with the Boston Athletic Association, serving as an official time keeper for elite runners and one of the lead car drivers, respectively, and their student-athletes typically assist elite runners at the finish line.

Joslyn DelSignore '13 has spent the last four years volunteering with the marathon and was responsible for assisting American runner Kara Goucher after this year's race. While in years past, DelSignore lingered around the finish line after being relieved of her volunteer duties, she took the first opportunity to head back to campus this year and was en route when the explosions occurred. 

"I was there less than 15 minutes before it happened," she said. "It was all really confusing. I never thought it could be a terrorist attack."

Meaghan Mauer '14 was already on campus when tragedy struck. Once she determined all her teammates were safe, she immediately began thinking of ways she, her teammates and the Emmanuel community could help. For her, there was no better way to honor all those affected than to take it to the track.

"We are the representatives of the running community on Emmanuel's campus," she said. "We, as a team, are such a strong community and we wanted to figure out how to show solidarity as a community, not just as  team but as a whole college, for everyone affected by this tragedy."

She hopes the event will serve as another way to bring the greater community together to heal and remember those who continue to need support.

"When something like this happens, it's amazing to see the outpouring of compassion," she said.

The team is hosting information sessions Thursday, April 25^th and Friday, April 26^th, from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. in the Jean Yawkey Center. Donations can be made at these sessions or the day of the event.