Sports
Marathon Woman
Wilmington's Jill Chisholm successfully completes 115th running of the Boston Marathon.
When Jill Chisholm decided to run the Boston Marathon this year, she expected a lot of different things. Chisholm expected tough training, she expected some aches and pains along the way and she even expected to face plateaus and setbacks with her training.
What Jill never expected was the amazing outpouring of support that she has received from family, friends and the entire Wilmington Community.
The day before the race Chisholm was prepared. “Thanks for the tremendous support from all my friends and family,” she said. “Boston here I come baby!”
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On race day Chisholm did, indeed, take the Boston Marathon by storm. With the temperatures cool, the sun safely hidden behind some light cloud cover and the wind at her back, Chisholm made her first Boston Marathon one to remember. “It was,” she said, “one of the best experiences of my life.”
At mile 18, just before Heartbreak Hill, Chisholm was still running strong with her signature smile on her face. Still maintaining an eleven minute mile, she even had a blow up SpongeBob doll in her hands as a gift for her youngest son, A.J.
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It certainly looked like nothing, even the dreaded Heartbreak Hill, was going to stop her.
“There were so many great moments,” Chisholm said. “Like running past Boston College where they really rally you up. It makes you feel like you can do anything.”
Chisholm finished her first Boston Marathon with an impressive time of 5 hours, 8 minutes and 45 seconds. As her biggest fan her son Brett said, “She was in a lot of pain but she made it. My mom did great!”
Of course, for Chisholm, running a world class race wasn’t all that she was trying to do. Dedicating her run to the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation, Chisholm said, “I chose to run for this world-class organization because I believe that the work they are doing to improve the lives of youth and families in the New England area is essential.”
Just like her run, Chisholm’s fundraising exceeded all goals and expectations. Setting a lofty goal of $4,000, Chisholm exceeded it by raising $4,059 for the charity.
“It was not only amazing that I was able to complete the race,” said Jill, “but the fact that I was able to raise so much money to help send kids to college made it really special.”
So, what is her plan for next year? “Oh,” she said without any hesitation. “I’m definitely running.”
