The Mile 21 Edition

Magazine

How Boston College Club Running Takes on Marathons: One Step At A Time

By Elizabeth Maher Magazine Editor Evie Oosting Assoc. Magazine Editor

Running a marathon is a feat of human endurance that seems impossible to the average person. But to members of Boston College Club Running, tackling 26.2 miles is a mere matter of mindset.

“If you come join BC Club Running, there’s a chance that you might be running the Boston Marathon some year,” said Jackson Murray, MCAS ’26 and Club Running vice president. “I definitely didn’t think I would be. But you kind of just get inspired.”

This year, four members of Club Running are competing in the Boston Marathon, and 26 additional club members will travel to Rhode Island to race in the Newport Marathon and Half Marathon.

“It’s infectious in Boston,” Murray said. “You don’t think you’re gonna be running a marathon in your life, and all of a sudden you are.”

“For the Love of the Game”

For Murray and other team members running marathons this spring, the 26.2mile race is the final stretch of a long, busy season.

“We have a cross country season, and then we do a couple of winter track meets, and then half and full marathons in the spring,” said Kate Cugno, MCAS ’27 and club treasurer.

The athletes compete as members of the National Intercollegiate Running Club Association, participating in competitions against other collegiate club teams as well as in local races—the Boston Marathon being the most prestigious.Club Running also hosts its own event in collaboration with USA Track & Field—the Codfish Bowl—which is held at Franklin Park in late September. The meet draws talent from club teams as well as collegiate varsity teams, according to Cugno.

“In past years, we’ve had Yale’s D1 team come down and race us,” Cugno said. “We’ve had a lot of the D3 teams in the surrounding area.”

Although the 50-person team doesn’t have a paid professional coach, their weekday and Sunday morning practices are all curated by the closest thing they have— Paul Criado, MCAS ’26, who serves as the team’s training coordinator.

“I focus on prepping stuff for summer training and then having kind of vague plans for all different abilities throughout cross country,” Criado said. “And then switching to things like marathons, which a lot of people in the club tend to do in the spring.”

Despite detailed plans, running can look different for each individual. Criado said the expertise of the whole group is essential to each person’s improvement.

“I think of it, like, everybody contributes their knowledge and understanding

to everybody in the club getting faster as a whole, which I really like,” Criado said.

According to Cugno, staying committed to training plans requires dedication, commitment, and, most importantly, a genuine passion for running.

“Everyone who is in Club Running is there for the love of the game,” Cugno said. “No one’s there because they’re getting paid. No one’s there because they’re getting a scholarship or gonna go pro after this. We’re all just there because, for some reason, there’s a couple of screws loose, and we really love running.”

“We’re So Ready”

The preparation that goes into running a half or full marathon begins long before runners take their marks at the starting line.

According to Murray, most runners begin their training block about 12 to 16 weeks before the event. Each week, a runner’s weekly mileage increases until it peaks about a month before race day.

“Then you kind of taper down and bring the mileage back down, so you have fresh legs, and you’re ready to go and race,” Cugno said.

As training coordinator, Criado created three different training plans for the runners, distinguished by different levels of peak mileage.

him,” Murray said, speaking of Criado.

For Criado, marathon training is a time-consuming process that has made

Club Running a distinct priority in his life.

prepared them for the challenge ahead.

“I’d say the club is just really excited,” Cugno said. “We’re ready. We’re so ready for Newport and Boston.”

ge, MCAS ’27 and another of the club’s engagement coordinators, plans to use that goal as motivation as he races in Newport.

But preparing for a marathon is as much mental as it is physical. Running with teammates who are also training for the same thing, though, provides a source of support.

“My roommate and best friend is also running Boston, so I’m lucky to train with

Feeling Inspired?

By Celine Bell

Asst. Magazine Editor

I am wholeheartedly not a runner. Frankly, even the idea of running is deeply unappealing.

However, each time marathon season rolls around, and I watch people effortlessly jog past me—or when I’m left behind as my friends go on a Res run—a small part of me wishes that I could just throw on a pair of sneakers and go without thinking twice.

So, here is a beginner’s guide to help you—and me—get into running:

Buy the Right Shoes

A good pair of running shoes will make all the difference. With less chance of an injury, you’ll likely feel far more comfortable as you start to build your mileage and routine. Your ankles will thank you for the extra support, and you won’t feel the strain of your run the next day.

HOKA’s Mach 6 sneakers are lightweight and designed for speed, which are perfect if you want something responsive as you ease into running.

If you’re looking for a softer foam

base, try the ASICS Novablast, which are cushioned but aren’t heavy and great for beginner runs.

Run for a Time, Not a Distance

If you’re just starting, set a time you want to run for and focus on non-stop movement for that entire time, no matter the speed.

Remember that every day is different, because—realistically—you aren’t going to be able to run the same pace or distance every time. Setting a goal for 10 or 15 minutes feels much more manageable than a certain number of miles, and it takes the pressure off of your run.

If you try to hit a certain distance, you might be more caught up in how fast you’re going instead of focusing on building endurance and staying consistent. By sticking with it and gradually increasing your time, you can start to see progress week over week.

Romanticize Your Routine

One way to make your running consistent is to make it something you actually look forward to. Build a playlist that feels so natural, you’ll start running to the beat.

“If you’re focused on a big goal, like a marathon or trying to run fast, and some of these races, you kind of put that at the forefront of everything, sometimes even ahead of academics,” Criado said. “It is a large percentage of what I think about on a weekly basis. And so because of that, it’s been everything for my time at BC, to be honest.”

As the race dates approach, the runners feel confident that their training has

Spotify offers personal, curated running playlists based on your listening history, or you can make a song lineup based on an artist you like or the pace you want. Or, pick an outfit that feels comfortable but put together—whether that’s a matching set, your favorite hoodie, or new shoes that you’re excited to wear.

Run the Scenic Route

A great perk of running—so I’ve heard—is the views. When you run, you can explore new places you’ve been dying to visit, making the exercise feel less like a chore and more like an adventure. Instead of looping the same route, pick a coffee shop, a park, or anywhere else you haven’t been before, and run to it.

Pick a day with good weather and shoot for finding new spots in Boston, running along the Charles River or through the North End. Consider timing the end of your run with the sunset, giving yourself something to look forward to on the trip over. You don’t need to magically become “a runner” to start running. Start small, keep it simple, and find ways to make it a little less painful and a little more enjoyable. And stretch. Lots of stretching. n

“Our Club’s and School’s Identity”

Club Running is sending four of its own to compete in the Boston Marathon on April 20: Murray, Criado, Maria Jové, MCAS ’27, and Doug Suell, MCAS ’26.

“Every year, we always have a couple excellent runners running the Boston Marathon, whether it’s for charity or because they time qualified,” Cugno said.

Many young members of the club never expect to complete a marathon when they join the club, but watching teammates train for the race tends to inspire others, Criado said.

“They’ll always try to get the freshmen or some of the newer people to try to consider doing marathons, because, you know, given where we are and how central it is to our club’s and school’s identity, you kind of want to keep that continuing on,” Criado said.

In addition to the Boston cohort, 26 team members—including Cugno—are traveling to Newport, R.I., where they’ll compete in the Newport Marathon & Half Marathon on April 18. According to Sarah NeJame, MCAS ’26 and one of the team’s engagement coordinators, the team places great emphasis on traveling to Newport.

“It’s less about if you’re running the half marathon or the full but about being there, traveling with the team,” NeJame said.

Some of the runners competing in the Newport Marathon have one goal in mind—qualifying for Boston. Evan Hug-

“That’s sort of the thought that I really bring to the front of my mind when I’m going through it at mile 20 of the marathon,” Hugge said. “I just imagined myself running down Commonwealth Avenue in front of thousands of BC students all lining the streets, and that’s what motivates me to keep going.”

For those who have had the opportunity to race Boston before, running the course is an incredible experience—but making it home to Mile 21 stands out.

“There’s no other part of the race like that,” Murray said. “It’s just so amazing seeing everyone as you’re going by. It felt like a snap of my finger. It was just the best feeling.”

“It Makes All the Difference”

Club Running provides more than just training partners—from surviving challenging practices together to team dinners at Waffle House during away meets, the team fosters a community and culture of support, Cugno said.

“The culture at the club is just so supportive of whatever goal that you have,” Cugno said. “If you’re wanting to run a fast 800 or if you’re just wanting to even complete a marathon, you’re just going to be supported, no matter what.”

When the Club Running members cross the finish lines in Newport and Boston this year, it will not only be a testament to their strength, but to the club that prepared them for the challenge. So, for first-time runners, Cugno has some simple advice.

“Find a good group of people to run with,” Cugno said. “I guess it makes all the difference.” n

BC Alum Was Fastest Bostonian in 2025 Marathon

By Celine Bell

Asst. Magazine Editor

Plenty of Boston College students have watched the Boston Marathon from the sidelines—even fewer have raced it. Almost none have crossed the finish line as the city’s fastest resident.

Erik Linden, BC ’22, did.

Last spring, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) awarded Linden the title of “Fastest Bostonian” in the 129th Boston Marathon. The award recognizes the fastest male, female, and non-binary Boston residents who compete in the race.

“I definitely wasn’t trying to be the fastest,” Linden said. “I was trying to run my own race and see how that turned out, and I was serendipitously awarded the prize at the end.”

Long before the big finish on Boylston Street, Linden was a high school athlete who ran track and played soccer. His speed caught the attention of college coaches, and he was recruited to run track at BC.

Linden said he appreciated the sport’s direct, results-driven nature.

“With team sports, you can’t necessar ily get out what you put into it, because an individual can’t determine the main outcome,” Linden said. “[Track] is very much an individual sport where if you want to get better and faster, there’s a very clear path to that.”

Still, when he arrived on the Heights his freshman year, Linden found that the individual nature of running didn’t mean going at it alone.

“When I got to BC, there was a great team there and a great envi ronment,” Linden said. “It was definitely very nice to have a group of guys and an immediate friendship, with the women’s team as well.”

After graduating in 2022, Linden’s relationship with running didn’t slow down. Without the constraints of a college schedule, he was able to devote more time to training.

But he missed the regimen and com munity that running on a team provided. Linden turned to the BAA, where he found a running environment that mir rored his team at BC.

Sarah Dupré-Healy, a coach of the BAA Running Club, noticed Linden’s dedication early on.

“He was someone who was incredibly consistent,” Dupré-Healy said. “[He’s] an excellent example that when you keep showing up, [it] really pays off.” Linden’s steady approach began to

you’d be running pretty fast—in my case, I was basically just trying to catch my breath,” Linden said. “But [BC] definitely helped. I saw some familiar faces, and they were able to propel me forward.”

Motivated by the support, Linden finished the race in a time of 2:21.25—making him the race’s fastest male Bostonian. While Linden is humble about the recognition, those who have followed his

“You could see it, right off the bat, that there was so much potential there,” Dupré-Healy said. “He was running PRs, winning races, scoring on the team for us much more than we expected.”

Linden, who ran the McKirdy Micro Marathon at Rockland Lake State Park in Congers, N.Y., at the end of March, is taking some time off to reset after a demanding stretch of training.

His personal rule of thumb is one marathon a year, Linden said.

“I think it’s good to take a bit of a break, both mentally and physically, because you’re prepping for the better part of 15 weeks,” Linden said. “The race day comes, and sometimes it goes really well, and other times you feel like there’s

Linden still has sights set on what’s next. He’s been working with Kurt Benninger, head coach of the Rhode Island Track Club, to plan for his next circuit.

“We talked the other day about what we’re kind of looking at next,” Benninger said. “Zoom out and look ahead to the Olympic trials and think about, ‘Okay, what do we need to do for him to be his best athlete at the Olympic trials?’” Benninger, who coaches Linden remotely, emphasized Linden’s ability to take ownership of his training and make

“He’s a mature athlete,” Benninger said. “He’s a mature person, but as an athlete, he’s very mature, which works really, really well for our setting and our setup. [He knows] what he needs to make the right decisions at the

Rerunning the Boston Marathon remains one of Linden’s goals for the future, and competing in the event means something even greater than aiming for

“Boston is definitely my best experience in terms of the overall day and the overall environment,” Linden said. “Even if you’re not doing as well as you want to,

on

Mile 21 and the Boston Marathon: 21 Fast Facts

By ElizaBEth MahEr Magazine Editor

Located at Mile 21, Boston College occupies a key piece of Boston Marathon real estate. Neon-clad students enjoy a prime viewing spot of runners as they race along Comm. Ave. and make their way into downtown Boston.

But how much do you really know about this iconic mile marker and about the Boston Marathon in general? Here’s a list of 21 fast facts.

1. The heartbreak is over! Mile 21 marks the end of a series of inclines—including the notorious Heartbreak Hill— that begin around mile 16 in Newton and make up one of the most challenging stretches of the course.

2. How did Heartbreak Hill get its name? The story dates back to the 1936 Boston Marathon, when Johnny Kelley gave Ellison “Tarzan” Brown a pat on the back as he passed him on the hill. Brown then surged past Kelley, going on to win the race and “breaking Kelley’s heart” in the process.

3. Dating back to 1897, the Boston Marathon is the oldest marathon in the United States.

4. The marathon is held on Patriots’ Day, a holiday that honors the inaugural battles of the American Revolutionary War.

6. Jason Derulo starred as BC’s inaugural MarMon headliner, performing hits like “Whatcha Say” and “Trumpets” to students in the Mod Lot.

7. In 2025, more than 60 BC students, faculty, staff, and alumni ran in support of charities including Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Boston Public Library.

8. In 1975, Boston became the first major marathon to include a wheelchair division thanks to the wheelchair racer Bob Hall.

9. The Boston Marathon is a massive operation, requiring more than 8,000 vol-

5. BC’s Mile 21 concert is a relatively new phenomenon, beginning in 2022 as a response to complaints elicited by off-campus celebrations.

unteers to ensure the event runs smoothly.

10. Team Hoyt—the duo of Dick Hoyt and his son, Rick, who had cerebral palsy—competed in more than 30 Boston Marathons. Rick worked in a BC lab where he developed technology for people with disabilities.

11. BC Police Chief Bill Evans has run the Boston Marathon over 20 times, raising money for groups including the Martin Richard Foundation. This charity was established in memory of Martin Richard, a young boy killed in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings.

12. More than 30,000 runners—hailing from all 50 states and almost 130 countries—are expected to participate in this year’s race.

13. Boston is one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a select group of the world’s most renowned marathons.

14. Ever to excel! Erik Linden, BC ’22, was named the fastest male Bostonian at the 129th Boston Marathon. Linden crossed the finish line in a speedy 2:21.25.

15. Sorry, kids. The Boston Marathon has a minimum age requirement: Competitors must be 18 years old or older on race day.

16. James Redding, MCAS ’27, became the youngest man to run the six original Abbott World Marathon Majors after he completed the Berlin Marathon last September.

17. The BC Strong Scholarship, which aims to support BC students who have overcome adversity, was established in honor of Boston Marathon bombing survivors Patrick Downes, BC ’05, and his wife, Jessica Kensky.

18. It’s more than just a race. In 2025, Boston Marathon runners raised over $50 million to support 176 nonprofit organizations.

19. Each year, over 500,000 spectators line the course to cheer on the runners.

20. The women’s division was officially established in 1972—but that didn’t stop women from finding creative ways to run the course before then. In 1966, Roberta Gibb jumped out of the bushes in Hopkinton, and the next year, Kathrine Switzer entered the race under the name K.V. Switzer.

21. Mile 21 is the best stretch of the entire 26.2-mile course—no debate about it. n

The Subtle Art of Self-Expression in Marathon Signs

B y L iLL ian K eLLy Assoc. Arts Editor

This year, on April 20, Boston residents and students alike will flock to the streets to watch nearly 30,000 athletes take on the Boston Marathon. The crowds will have many eccentric ways of showing their support—cheering, hitting cowbells, screaming as loud as possible—but perhaps the most timeless way of celebrating Marathon Monday is with a sign.

If you’ve ever been to the race, you’ll know just how seriously crowds take their signs. Family and friends write supportive words to their loved one in the race, and onlookers create witty jokes to try to motivate passing runners.

Some signs are plain, while others

The signs have become a staple of the Boston Marathon throughout the years as a show of creativity, passion, and perhaps, most importantly, humor.

Many students and young adults also make signs referencing viral trends and

are meticulously decorated and colored to stand out in the crowd. But no matter what ends up on those pieces of cardboard, you can guarantee that Boston Marathon spectators are using the event to brandish some of their creativity. It’s always a good time to see a memorable message or creative gag that makes both the onlooker and passing runner laugh.

This year, Bostonians will surely be thinking up new ways of getting racers to smile. From fatheads of marathon participants, to funny quips, to satirical jabs at the MBTA, signs are a form of self-expression and a way for Bostonians to show their city pride.

media, such as signs referencing Severance or Charli XCX’s hit album Brat

But marathon signs can be more than just pop culture references and complaining about the Green Line’s inefficiency. Many supporters’ signs, whether they know it or not, represent integral pieces of Boston Marathon history.

Many signs are based on lighthearted traditions. Wellesley College’s “kiss me” signs, for instance, are a playful part of the school’s history with the marathon. As runners fly by, Wellesley students wave signs asking for kisses. “Kiss me, I’m graduating!” and “Kiss

me, I’m an econ major!” are just some of the messages students write in hopes of getting a quick peck from a passing marathoner.

But Wellesley’s “kiss me” signs aren’t just cute pick-up lines directed at unsuspecting runners—they’re a seemingly trivial aspect of a much more important and symbolic tradition. As a historically women’s college, many of Wellesley’s marathon traditions revolve around women’s history. They’re a celebration of the long-running history of women’s rights intertwined with the Boston Marathon.

Many of Wellesley’s marathon traditions began in 1972, the first year women were allowed to enter the race. That year, along with their signs, Wellesley students also originated the iconic

and Mile 21 marks the joyous end of that arduous leg of the marathon.

These signs are often humorous, such as one that reads “Hill? More like speed bump.” But whether signmakers know it or not, their jokes surrounding the arduous climb are based on an inspiring tale from Boston Marathon history.

Heartbreak Hill gets its name from the victory of Ellison “Tarzan” Brown, a Narragansett Indian from Rhode Island, in the 1936 Boston Marathon.

Despite predictions that fan favorite

one of Native American resilience and excellence is inspiring, and it’s a source of empowerment for all marginalized groups, athletes or otherwise. Brown’s name is remembered in Boston Marathon history as a symbol of perseverance.

The best part is that Heartbreak Hill signs are intertwined with this story. By recognizing the incredible feat of a man whom nobody believed in, we keep his strength and determination alive. Even the silliest sign is entrenched in generations of history.

and the previous year’s winner, John Kelley, would win, Brown overtook Kelley at Mile 20, ultimately winning the entire race. Mile 20 became “Heartbreak Hill” because it was the point in the race where Kelley lost his lead and his heart

“scream tunnel,” which runners can hear from a mile away.

These quirky and creative rituals are significant aspects of Boston’s culture. Not only can these signs offer motivation during a grueling race, but they also symbolize cultural resilience and pride.

Even Boston College is connected to a piece of Boston Marathon history. At Mile 21, BC comes right after the infamous Heartbreak Hill—a difficult, almost one-hundred-foot, and approximately 3.3 percent incline between miles 20 and 21. Many supporters around Heartbreak Hill make encouraging signs for runners to push forward,

was “broken” by Brown.

The story of Heartbreak Hill being

These signs give onlookers a voice and a way to use their creativity to share their beliefs. Whether celebrating the inspiring story of Heartbreak Hill, voicing complaints about U.S. politics, or even griping about public transportation, signs can be far more than just funny or flashy.

The Boston Marathon is a show of strength and endurance for runners, and for onlookers, it’s an event about creativity, originality, and pride. Marathon signs are not only a way of acknowledging the dedication of athletes and the admirable history of the race itself, but they’re also a form of self-expression—a way of using art and culture to make those around you smile.

So, when making your sign this year, think about what you want to say. The beauty of a sign is that it’s a representation of the person holding it n

Two Friends Set To Perform at BC’s Mile 21 Concert

of the Division of Student Affairs’ Marathon Monday festivities. This is Two Friends’ first appearance at BC. The popular DJ duo rose to fame on

SoundCloud with its “Big Bootie Mixes” and has since released hit singles “If Only I (Feat. Bebe Rexha),” “Emily,” and “Last Day (Dualities Remix).” Two Friends has 1.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify and has collaborated with prominent artists, such as Russell

Two Friends is a contrast to the recent series of high-profile rap artists who have performed at BC on Marathon Monday. Saweetie took the stage at the 2025 concert, following T-Pain and Flo Rida’s performances in the Mod

Lot in the years prior. Two Friends notably performed in 2025 at Lollapalooza, the renowned Chicago music festival held in Grant Park. The duo’s latest release is a single with Chris Lane titled “Under the Table.” n

Your Guide to Two Friends’ Mile 21 Concert A RTS

By Caroline Ko Asst. Arts Editor

On the morning of Marathon Monday—one of Boston College’s most beloved holidays—campus will be teeming with life as students wake up early to prepare for the day’s festivities.

Alongside food vendors, free breakfast, and BC’s cheering section at the infamous Heartbreak Hill, students will have the option to celebrate MarMon at the annual Mile 21 Concert, which will be headlined by Two Friends this year. They will be performing at the Mod Lot at 10 a.m. for

a paid audience.

But who is this DJ duo? Matthew Halper and Eli Sones, who became friends in middle school, officially began DJing under the name Two Friends in their senior year of high school. Throughout college and beyond, they have devoted themselves to producing for other artists and writing their own music.

Two Friends specializes in electronic dance music (EDM) and house music, sticking to the tried-and-true formula of pounding beats, catchy or familiar melodies, and high-intensity remixing. For students who will be setting that

early-morning alarm, throwing on a flamboyant costume, and heading out to find some organized fun, it might be worthwhile to learn some of Two Friends’ discography. Here are some notable picks to listen to in preparation.

While different from the tradition of live performances at the Mile 21 Concert, the Two Friends DJ set is guaranteed to consist of popular, recognizable beats. In particular, the “Big Bootie Mixes” will provide exciting mash-ups of well-known songs that have taken over the internet or past Billboard chart-toppers that have become classic earworms.

“Big Bootie Mixes” were born on SoundCloud in 2013. Over the past 13 years, Two Friends has consistently been pumping out approximately hour-long listening experiences about once or twice per year. Unpredictable and overwhelmingly nostalgic, the mixes amassed a fandom that eagerly awaits new drops of their favorite workout, late-night drives, or party soundtracks.

Last summer, Two Friends released “Big Bootie Mix, Vol. 26,” their newest installment in the celebrated series. To give you a taste of what to expect, the mix features sped-up, popular tracks by everyone from Charli XCX to Central Cee to Michael Jackson. The pair even drops in the Jesse Bloch remix of “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys.

“Big Bootie Mix, Vol. 10” is also worth mentioning, as it was released in 2016. Considering the recent internet comeback of the 2016 aesthetic—signature for its rosy Instagram filter and the generation-defining release of “Closer” by The Chainsmokers—any songs from this edition of the “Big Bootie Mixes” will be especially exciting and transport the audience back to the good ol’ days. These mixes are Two Friends’ claim to fame, and if there’s anything like them in the Mile 21 set, it is sure to be a highlight for concertgoers looking to dance and sing along to digitized throwbacks.

At their start, Two Friends got recognition for their official remixes of pop hits, such as Lana Del Rey’s “Born To Die,” blink-182’s “I Miss You,” and Passion Pit’s “Sleepyhead.” Additionally, they have a remix of “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers, which would be an especially fitting song to play at the Mod Lot. Around the time of their performance

at Coachella in 2023, Two Friends dropped two of the most popular originals of their career. “If Only I (feat. Bebe Rexha)” is a carefree pop song with Two Friends’ electronic production and a repetitive chorus about fleeting good times with a lover.

“If only I could stop the sunrise, we could lay here all night / If only I could learn to freeze time, I’d hold you forever / If only I had one more day, I’d love you 25/8,” Rexha sings.

With wholesome lyrics about love, “More Than Yesterday (feat. Russell Dickerson)” brandishes a fuller-sounding instrumental with punchy horns and a catchy beat drop.

Continuing with Two Friends originals, “Wish You Were Here (feat. John K)” is a heartfelt song focusing on missing someone special. It has mellower feelings than a typical Two Friends track. “Looking At You (feat. Sam Vesso)” is another notable high-tempo love song with synthheavy production.

Most recently, Two Friends announced their foray into country music—of course, with their EDM beats and production style still in the mix. Now, fans are anticipating the upcoming Big Boots EP, which will feature new singles such as “I Need Tomorrow” and “Under The Table.” These newest releases add a little diversity to Two Friends’ repertoire and could be satisfying additions to the set for die-hard country fans.

Two Friends’ style of busy mash ups and danceable, catchy tunes might be a pleasant surprise for those concerned about the familiarity of the set list. If you’re willing to pay the $5 to attend, Two Friends blasting hyper hits in the Mod Lot might be just the thing you need to get revved up for the rest of the day. n

How Music Will Get Runners Over the Finish Line

By Milo Priddle Arts Editor

Editor’s Note: The graphical data in this article is based on survey responses from 14 BC students who are registered for the 2026 Boston Marathon.

Marathon Monday has always been one of the most exciting days of the year for Boston College students. Over time, the mythos of MarMon has garnered an almost cult-like reverence on campus. With the introduction of the Mile 21 Concert in 2022, the annual anticipation for the day’s festivities intensified even further.

But the Mile 21 Concert is just one tangible product of the developing intersection between music and running culture.

Since the commercial introduction of the MP3 player and similar miniature music-listening devices like the iPod Shuffle in the late ’90s and early 2000s, people across the globe have grown accustomed to listening to music while running.

As a result, music has become an essential part of both recreational and competitive running—brands have designed specialized headphones, and running playlists are ubiquitous across streaming platforms.

For many of the marathoners here on campus, music plays a crucial part in their running experience.

Giovanni Culotta, MCAS ’26, who is running the Boston Marathon for the first time this year, was warned away from listening to music while running by his high school coach. Since moving on from competitive racing, he has adopted it as a regular part of his routine.

“I haven’t done a marathon run without music—I love it,” Culotta said. “I definitely didn’t do it before, but now it’s a huge part of running for me.”

For many runners, music helps them avoid overanalyzing their performance and directs their thoughts away from the physical sensation of running. Culotta explained that instead of hyperfixating on their breathing or their pace, runners can reflect on something less immediate.

“I’ve found [music] to be a support system, to take my mind off the numbers and the thoughts that go in and out of your

head during races,” Culotta said.

At the same time, music also has the power to provide runners with the extra endorphins they need to keep going when things get physically challenging, explained first-time marathoner Clare O’Holleran, MCAS ’28.

“From a biological standpoint, listening to music and running do the same thing for your brain,” O’Holleran said.

“If I’m running up Heartbreak Hill and I’m really struggling … I’ll put on a song that’s going to hype me up and get me there—get me across the finish line.”

When it comes to harnessing extra energy through music, runners must walk a fine line. Listening to music that will produce high levels of endorphins can be helpful over a short period, but detrimental when running for long distances. Luke Mangano, MCAS ’28, another first-time marathon runner, explained that the body can get overexcited and, as a result, quickly tire out.

“If I’m doing a longer run, I’ll listen to more mellow music, so I can keep my pace down … versus a faster tempo run,

or hills, or something like that, I’ll listen to something more hype for a quick blast of energy,” Mangano said. For this reason, runners must balance personal preferences with the maintenance of a kind of runner’s homeostasis. And so, the choice of genre, or genres, becomes an important aspect of every runner’s musical decision making.

Some runners even make their selections based on a song’s beats per minute (BPM), with the goal of keeping their heart rate equivalent to the bass pattern. Mangano, who is overcoming a stress fracture in his tibia, was advised by a physical therapist to increase his steps per minute while running. As a result, he has been listening to songs with a higher BPM.

“It’s definitely been a big adjustment,” Mangano said.

Listening to songs with a specific BPM for the sake of physiological efficiency has become a fairly widespread technique in the competitive running community, but not everyone is on board.

“I’m not going to sacrifice 10 beats per minute of my heart rate to hear a song I

hate,” Culotta said.

For other runners, the feel of the song, or their personal connection to it, is more important for self-motivation than the logistics.

“If you have a connection to music in any way, or you’re really feeling a song in one moment, then it’s going to help you actually do what you trained to do,” O’Holleran said.

Aside from the statistical benefits of listening to music while running—releasing endorphins, adjusting heart rate, etc.— there is another, perhaps more meaningful reason: music has become intertwined with the sport’s culture. While most other popular sports involve teams or some social element, running is fundamentally a solitary activity. Even though the recent run club craze has provided many people with the chance to run in groups regularly, it hasn’t really amended the loneliness of the sport. You can’t quite gab when you’re constantly in search of your next breath.

“Running is such an independent thing,” Mangano said. “Even with training for a

marathon, your plan won’t line up exactly with your friends … so a bunch of the runs you do will be alone, and listening to music gives you something to think about.”

It’s also worth noting that runners aren’t always looking for communion. In fact, many people take up the sport primarily because of its asocial nature. And music pairs remarkably well with solitude, not only for runners—as it has in this century—but for us all.

“I think music is so key for runners because … it’s their alone time, it’s their time with themselves,” said Culotta. “And for a lot of people, music is a part of that.” n

Newton

The Heartwarming Story Behind the Heartbreak Hill Statue

B y R iley D el S e S to Newton Editor

What was initially meant to be a temporary, quirky fixture on Newton resident Mark Proctor’s lawn quickly turned into a local landmark and morale boost for Boston Marathon runners.

Seattle tree sculptor, who referred Proctor to his tree chainsaw sculptor championship partner Kenneth Packie, a Berkshire craftsman.

Packie, whose typical commissions are animals or fictional characters, relished tackling a human form.

“I’d say the bread and butter I do is going to be wildlife,” Packie said. “Right

“I initially thought I’d have that statue up for about one year and that people would hate it,” Proctor said. “It turns out the response in the neighborhood was far more dramatic—and rewarding—than we expected.”

Proctor, a homeowner on the corner of Commonwealth and Grant Avenues on Heartbreak Hill in Newton, decided in 2020 to make a statue out of his beloved 100-year-old maple tree when it could no longer stand on its own.

“It was a beautiful maple tree,” Proctor said. “We had been in the house for 20 years, so we were pretty used to having that tree.”

Proctor always knew that he was going to forge a Boston Marathon commemorative statue out of the tree to complement his family’s annual marathon party, but initially wasn’t sure what form it would take. While he favored the runner from the beginning, he had to persuade his family to embrace the idea.

“I knew that I wanted to make it a runner, but my family was not on board with the decision,” Proctor said. “So we actually went through several different rounds of thinking things like the Greek god of speed, and then we were thinking of an animal, like a puma or something.”

Finding a Worthy Whittler

Once he convinced his family of the runner, Proctor’s next task for the completion of the statue was finding a worthy whittler. After some preliminary research, he contacted a prominent

this project.

“I had so much work locally, I didn’t really want to commute to Newton and carve that, but they’re super nice people, so I went out there and I took a look,” Packie said.

Carving Humanity: The Challenge of the Generic Runner

Normally, Packie is apprehensive about working with maple, but he did it for the purpose of the piece.

“It being maple, it’s a harder wood,” Packie said. “It’s not the kind of wood I normally use. It’s only when it’s something that’s sentimental, like this.”

Another challenge for Packie was the anonymous form of the statue. He explained that carving the generic figure took some effort—a challenge he also faced in carving Boston College’s Holy Family sculpture.

“Human form is the most difficult thing to carve, because even if you’re not an artist, we’re all so familiar with the form, you can tell when something’s off,” Packie said. “And the fact that I had to keep it kind of generic, so it didn’t look like anything was a little more difficult.”

Proctor didn’t want the statue to memorialize anyone in particular—he wanted it to be relatable.

“We weren’t looking to honor any individual or elite, elite runner,” Proctor said. “It was just an homage to the marathon. We would have made it neither sex if that was an option. We just wanted it to be an average runner. As you might be able to tell, it doesn’t look like an elite runner. It’s a very muscular person who probably wouldn’t be super fast.”

Proctor said he was also hesitant to honor anyone in particular in the age of cancel culture. In hindsight, Packie said that he wishes he suggested a highly revered fictional character.

days to complete, totalling roughly 45 hours. Packie said that this project is one of his favorite on-site works he’s done.

The statue was erected during the height of COVID-19, so residents closely and excitedly observed its progress, Packie said.

now I’m working on Bigfoot. People love Bigfoot. They love Sasquatches. So I’ve got two of those to do. I’m doing a Grateful Dead dancing bear. Yeah, a bunch of foxes.”

Packie said he normally hesitates to make a commute as long as the one to Newton but made an exception for

“I knew their concerns about not wanting it to look like anybody, and I wish I would have suggested carving Forrest Gump, like that’s an unassailable character,” Packie said. “He’ll never be canceled.”

A

Neighborhood Watches

The carving process took Packie five

“That one was—it ended up being one of the more enjoyable on-site jobs I’ve done,” Packie said. “I got a good energy from doing that piece.”

“During COVID-19, everybody was just looking for something like a distraction—they wanted a good, fun story,” Packie said.

Proctor said the statue infused the community with fresh enthusiasm and optimism, a symbol of persevering for life beyond the pandemic.

“People seemed to almost see it as a sign of hope that life would continue, that there would be—the marathon had been canceled that year—that there would be future marathons,” Proctor said. “It was a far more endearing response to the statue than we expected.”

From Quirky Idea to Local Landmark

Proctor was concerned that his vision for the statue would go misunderstood and would culminate in neighborhood backlash.

“I thought maybe after a year, we’d be taking it down due to neighbors’ complaints,” Proctor said. “It was my quirky idea. I didn’t know if anyone else would like it.”

Now that the statue is embraced by the community, Proctor watches it closely and maintains it diligently. He sands and refinishes the top part of the statue twice a year.

“He’s a doting father to the [statue],” Packie said.

Preserving the Statue for Future Runners

Shortly after the marathon this year, the statue will undergo a makeover.

“Because it’s still planted, the base is rotting away, so we have to actually take it down and rebuild the base, because the roots are still planted in the ground, and it’s been slowly deteriorating,” Proctor said. “Now that it’s a landmark on the route, we don’t even feel we could take it down.”

As a result, Packie said he might have to reconfigure the runner’s feet.

“I might even just mount the ankle down on top of a new block and then carve a new foot,” Packie said.

Packie hopes runners feel empowered by the statue.

“I hope it just gives them a smile and just that little bit to push through and get to the finish line,” Packie said. “I wanted to capture the grind that everybody feels trying to get up that hill … And say, ‘Look that guy’s doing it, I can too.’” n

How Newton’s Heartbreak Hill Striders Run the Marathon

By NathaN yarNall

Assoc. Newton Editor

It’s 6:30 a.m. on Marathon Monday. While thousands of runners are crammed into the athletes’ tent in Hopkinton, fighting for bathroom lines and bracing against the April weather, members of the Heartbreak Hill Striders running club are somewhere else entirely.

They’re on a friend’s couch.

An Elite Marathon Experience

“Our Boston Marathon experience is elite,” said Larry Keller, the club’s president. “It is an amazing way to experience the Boston Marathon. No crowds, no hassles, and people love it.”

Every year, the Newton-based running club loads its members and guests into private vans, drives to a private home in Hopkinton, and spends the early morning hours before the race relaxing. With bathrooms and couches at their disposal, they enjoy bananas, bagels, and hydration drinks on the counter before the vans shuttle them directly to the starting line.

“It is such a chill way to start the marathon—you don’t have to deal with the athletes’ tent, which is literally a gigantic circus tent with 30,000 runners underneath it, and lines that are, you know, half an hour long to take a piss,” Keller said. “You don’t have to deal with any inclement weather. You’re in a warm place.”

When the race ends, a rented health center near the finish line is waiting with hot showers and refreshments.

“We’ve got all kinds of refreshments, refueling stuff there for you, and you can totally relax,” Keller said. “We’re starting to get known for the way that we do the Boston Marathon.”

26 Years and Counting

The Striders were formed in 1999 by Wellesley runner Jim Carroll—a 35-time Boston Marathon participant—and a few other runners who preferred to train in the suburbs around Newton and Wellesley

rather than running with Boston-based clubs.

It was Carroll’s club, Keller explained, for the majority of its first 25 years.

“All of the planning, all of the track practices, were all done by him, and he got very little compensation,” Keller said. “We did compensate him a small amount for weekly coaching, but all that other stuff was done on his own. So it really was a one-person operation for many years.”

With Carroll approaching retirement age, a newly reformed seven-member board took shape. Keller, who joined the club in the early 2000s via word of mouth, was nominated as president. The club’s membership has since grown to about 70.

“About two years ago, we said, ‘You know what, Jim’s getting older, probably would be thinking about retiring sometime soon, and we need to know how some of these events are done, how they’re put on, and who his contacts are,’” Keller said. “So they pointed to me and said, ‘Well, you’re gonna be on the board, and you may be president.’”

Over the past 26 years, members of the club have grown incredibly close. One of the founding members, Marlene O’Don-

nell, has seen the club become more than just a training group for her.

“I would say it’s almost like my second family,” O’Donnell said. “I’ve made a lot of different friends. It’s a lot of different relationships. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Training on the Course Itself

The Striders’ Marathon Monday experience is just one aspect that sets the club apart. Members train rigorously together throughout the year, preparing mainly for the marathon, though some train for other running events.

“The main focus is health and improving your running, and a lot of people train for the Boston Marathon,” O’Donnell said. “Some people do triathlons, Ironman sprint triathlons, that type of thing.”

The club holds weekly track workouts at Wellesley High School in the summer and rents Babson College’s indoor track in the winter. They also train extensively on the marathon course itself, paying special attention to one of its most famous and difficult stretches, Heartbreak Hill, which they pay homage to with the club’s name.

“Sunday mornings, we start at BC, at

the Green Line, at the Dunkin’ Donuts right there,” Keller said. “And we run various distances, backwards, up the course, going the opposite way towards Wellesley. To the fire station and back is an 8-mile run. As you get closer to the marathon, we’ll go up into Wellesley.”

In addition to their Sunday runs, some members gather at the base of the hill on Thursdays to run repeats.

“That’s sort of craziness,” Keller said.

“You see a bunch of crazy people running up and down Heartbreak Hill.”

The group’s nonstop training on one of the most notorious parts of the course pays dividends when the race rolls around.

Come marathon day, we know the hills,” Keller said. “We know that stretch from the firehouse to BC like the back of our hands. And that knowledge, when you run Boston, is so valuable. You know how long the hills are, how steep they are, where the crests are coming.”

Rich Maltz, a long-time member of the club who has run 41 marathons, said that the camaraderie of running and training with his fellow members has been invaluable.

“It’s been great socially, and it’s great,”

Maltz said. “The support of others makes [training for a marathon] that much easier.”

More than a Club

To qualify for the marathon, the Striders have maintained a relationship with the Boston Athletic Association (BAA). Each year, the club commits 10-20 volunteers to staff water stops at the Boston Marathon, the BAA Half Marathon, the BAA 10K, and the Jimmy Fund Walk.

In return, the BAA awards the club roughly five invitational entry bibs, which are spots in the marathon that don’t require a qualifying time or charity fundraising. The club then gives them out to members who volunteer the most.

“We give them out to our runners based on the amount of volunteering that each runner did during the course of the year,” Keller said. “So that’s been a big aspect of the club … we want to give, you know, an opportunity for as many runners as we can to get a bib and be able to run Boston without having to get a qualifying time, without having to raise money.”

A Growing Legacy

The Boston Marathon is ingrained in the Striders’ DNA. Maltz has run the race 19 times, O’Donnell 17 times, and Keller eight times. Maltz, whose daughter joined the club and trained with him, hopes the club continues to grow and attract new members who share the same love for the sport they do.

“It’s a unique club in the Boston area because of all the benefits we have,” Maltz said. “We need younger members for it to continue, and we have a few, but I think we need to really push hard for some more.” Keller stressed that the group’s welcoming and inclusive attitude makes it appealing to runners of all skill levels.

“If you’re looking for a friendly group who’s willing to embrace you, no matter what your skill level is, no matter what your experience level is with running at all,” Keller said. “You’re going to find a group of fun-loving folks that just enjoy the sport.”n

Crossing the Finish Line Together: Newton Mother-Daughter Duo Run Boston Marathon

By Grace Duffy Asst. Newton Editor

At 15 years old, Newton resident

Shelley Xue ran her first Boston Marathon. Now, 10 years later, she will run it again, but this time she will be crossing the finish line with her mom, Cindy Xue.

Both Shelley and Cindy Xue began their running journeys training on Commonwealth Avenue a decade ago, so running the 2026 Boston Marathon connects them back to where their love for running started.

“Running on Comm. Ave. brings me back to my first marathon,” Shelley said. “Part of it is just like the nostalgia and being able to trace how far I’ve grown and how far we’ve grown together in that way.”

Running the marathon together this year feels like a way for them to mark the evolution of their running journeys, the two said.

“She finished her first marathon at 15 years old in high school, and now, almost 10 years later, we run the Boston,” Cindy said. “This is kind of a full circle moment for us to run.”

Empowering Through Running

Cindy said that watching Shelley run her first Boston marathon showed her the empowerment that community running can bring to young kids.

“Watching her do that as a teenager was one of the proudest moments of my life,” Cindy said. “It showed me what Newton kids can do when they have structure, mentors, and a community behind them.”

Both Shelley’s and Cindy’s marathon journeys started with that sense of community. Shelley was introduced to marathoning when she was a student at Newton South High School through Dreamfar, a marathon club for high schoolers around the greater Boston area.

Shelley said that her time training with Dreamfar allowed her to view run-

ning from a new perspective, learning to run for the experience and not just the result.

“You got to just run with people across the greater Boston area, and everyone was just super encouraging, and nobody really was trying to finish fast or anything,” Shelley said. “So it was a really supportive community.”

From Sidelines to Mentoring

After watching the impact that Dreamfar had on Shelley, Cindy became involved as a mentor for the run club.

Cindy mentors hundreds of students and has helped them reach their own finish lines for nearly 10 years.

“Now, I kind of mentor all the high school students in the program, sometimes up to 200 people, and I’ve learned a lot of lessons [from mentoring the students],” Cindy said. “The lessons I’ve learned allowed me to improve myself.”

Before mentoring at Dreamfar, Cindy said that she wasn’t even sure she would be able to run marathons, but now she will be running her eighth.

then.”

Shelley said she also felt intimidated by marathons before joining Dreamfar, crediting the community as what allowed her to realize her potential.

“I just didn’t really know what it would take,” Shelley said. “Then, like, it’s really the community aspect and doing it together with other people, and just supporting each other and realizing your goals.”

Finding Their Stride Together

The Boston Marathon will be Cindy and Shelley’s second marathon together—their first was the 2024 Los Angeles (LA) Marathon.

During the LA Marathon, Cindy and Shelley learned how to combine their running styles, working not to obsess over running every minute together, but instead finishing each mile together until the end.

“We basically run through every mile together, and like, the finish line together, but I think we’re pretty much consistent in terms of pace,” Shelley said.

“I didn’t even know I could run a marathon at the beginning,” Cindy said. “It was so powerful, and now I’ve run seven to eight marathons since

Shelley said that for both her and her mom, the end goal is to cross the finish line together.

“I think just like being able to cross

the finish line together, I think matters sort of more to us than like running the same, or the whole thing next to each other,” Shelley said. “But yeah, it’s a pretty fun experience trying to coordinate.”

Giving Back to Newton

To run the Boston Marathon, Cindy and Shelley chose to support two different Newton-based nonprofits. Shelley is raising money to support Green Newton, and Cindy is raising money to support the Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA).

Judy Jacobs, the executive director of Green Newton, said that Shelley’s fundraising efforts for the organization will make a significant difference in their ability to foster sustainability in Newton.

“All of the support that people give to the organization directly impacts how effective we can be in the community and how many people we can reach,” Jacobs said. “And that means how many people are reducing their environmental impact and protecting Newton’s environment.”

Shelley reiterated that running for

a Newton-based nonprofit was important to her so that she could give back to the community she grew up in.

“It felt like a good way for me to really give back to the place that’s shaped me,” Shelley said. “It’s really nice to be able to, like, support the city that taught me how to run and keep it healthy and livable for the people growing up there.”

Cindy said that fundraising for MEDA was important for her because of the ways their work connects to the lessons she shares with her running mentees.

“They are building the communities, and they’re helping people, that’s aligned with my mission when I mentor the high school students running a marathon,” Cindy said. “We also teach students about some life lessons … so that is why I run for MEDA, that’s the same mission.”

For Cindy and Shelley, running the 2026 Boston Marathon together is a way for them to connect back to Comm. Ave. and the place where their love for running started.

“It’s really helped define our relationship,” Shelley said. “It definitely is such an anchor in our relationship.” n

Opinion Editorial: From Jason Derulo to Who? Two Friends Is a Disappointing Break From Precedent

By The Heights Editorial Board

Editor’s Note: The Heights Editorial Board is composed of a group of elected Heights editors. They are responsible for discussing and writing editorials, which represent the opinion of the newspaper. News editors do not contribute to editorials.

Upon becoming Boston College’s vice president of student affairs, Shawna Cooper Whitehead announced the Mile 21 Concert, a way for students to have fun and for administrators to curb off-campus drinking.

With Cooper Whitehead now leaving BC to be the next president of Regis University, it is safe to say her legacy will be tainted by this lackluster choice for the Marathon Monday performance.

For context, MarMon concerts of years past have featured high-profile artists, from Saweetie to T-Pain. In contrast, the announcement of Two Friends’ performance prompted more questions than excitement. How did we go from a Jason Derulo concert in 2022 to one from an artist with just 1.5 million monthly listeners?

For reference, Derulo has 30.7 million monthly listeners, and five-time

Grammy nominee Flo Rida (2023) has 42.2 million.

Unlike past MarMon artists, Two Friends is not known for their original songs, but rather for their “Big Bootie Mixes,” hour-long mashups that gained popularity on SoundCloud. If you’re as unfamiliar with these as we were, we encourage you to up their streams (God knows they need them).

Look, if we wanted to see two guys stand around and hit play on songs they didn’t even make, we’d go to a Walsh 8-man on any given Friday.

At least that would be free.

This is the first year BC is charging

students for access to the MarMon stage.

In 2023, students paid nothing to see Flo Rida, who had previously performed for 65,000 people at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. Now, students are being asked to pay to see DJs whose upcoming Florida tour stops are in venues with capacities of around 1,000.

We know $5 isn’t much, but why should we have to start paying for an artist that essentially has two fans? To add insult to injury, other universities’ headliners truly underscore how underwhelming this pick is.

Headlining Northeastern’s Springfest Concert is none other than Malcolm Todd, an indie artist with 17 million monthly listeners. The comparison is giving us “Chest Pain.”

To rub salt in the wound, Tufts somehow managed to get pop sensation Zara Larsson to headline their Spring Fling.

The North American leg of the Swedish singer’s Midnight Sun tour sold out last month, and her most popular songs have well over 2 billion streams.

Another thing BC didn’t seem to con-

sider is how this will affect the off-campus party scene. In past years, students have paused early-morning parties on Foster Street to migrate to campus in time for the MarMon concert.

With this wildly unremarkable artist performing, BC should not be surprised when off-campus houses get trashed, and the administration has to deal with angrier neighbors and drunker students come nightfall.

We’d like to think Two Friends was not Cooper Whitehead’s first choice. T-Pain was announced to be the MarMon artist on March 15, and Saweetie on March 19. Two Friends’ relatively late announcement on March 23 leads us to speculate that they may not have been the first choice for MarMon, potentially replacing a bigger artist who canceled at the last minute.

Those might just be our deluded hopes, but if that’s the case, transparency would make us more understanding of this subpar pick.

One thing’s for certain: These are not our friends. n

Mac Mini: Mile 21 Edition

Mac Mini: Marathon Edition!

By Oluwatoni Idowu

ACROSS

1 The bank presenting the 130th Boston Marathon

1. The bank presenting the 130th Boston Marathon

4 ___-accessible viewing is available near the Finish Line around Boylston St.

4. ___-accessible viewing is available near the Finish Line around Boylston St.

5 Running is a classic ___bic exercise

7 The ___ of running: The abdominal and lower back muscles, hip flexors, glutes, and pelvic floor

5. Running is a classic ___bic exercise

7. The ___ of running: The abdominal and lower back muscles, hip flexors, glutes, and pelvic floor

1 Acronym for the Boston Athletic Association

2 The Boston Marathon is an ____ __ Boston

3 26.2 miles is a pretty ___ distance!

1. Acronym for the Boston Athletic Association

6 The Mile 20___ Mark!

2. The Boston Marathon is an ____ __ Boston

3. 26.2 miles is a pretty ___ distance! 6. The Mile 20___ Mark!

Marathon Word Search

HEARTBREAK

HEREFORD

HILL

HOPKINTON

HYDROGEL

MARATHON

MILE

NATICK

NEWTON

PACE

PATRIOTS

ROUTE

START

https://puzzleme.amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword-pdf