BLOG: Father-Daughter Duo Runs the Boston Marathon Together

A week ago, Charles and Molly Crotteau, father/daughter duo ran from Hopkinton to Boston for the 127th running of the Boston Marathon. For Charles, it was his fourteenth time running Boston, and for Molly, it was her first.

We asked the pair about their running journey and their experience in Boston.

When did you start running? 

Molly: I started going on short runs with my dad when I was in elementary school. I started running more seriously my junior year of high school, competing on the cross country and track teams and ultimately ran both cross country and track and field in college.

Charles: I began running as an overweight teenager as a means to develop positive health habits and bolster my self esteem.  Probably around age 13.

How many times have you run the Boston Marathon? 

Molly: This was my first Boston!

Charles: This year's race was my 14th consecutive Boston marathon!

What is the most meaningful part about running this race with your daughter/dad? 

Molly: The most meaningful part about running this race with my dad was the fact that I was inspired to run marathons by watching him train and compete in marathons growing up. He is the reason I got into running, so being able to race together at the Boston Marathon was a surreal experience.

Charles: Molly and I have shared so many adventures together over her lifetime, including running together when she was in grade school.  To have one of my daughters join me for the Boston Marathon is a dream come true.  Since Molly is older now and living away from home while in graduate school, I treasure this "bonus" time together!  The fact that she is in Boston competing makes me so proud!

What inspired you to try to qualify for Boston?

Molly: My dad inspired me to qualify for Boston. Watching him compete in marathons growing up had always made me eager to run a marathon, so once I was done with collegiate running, I shifted my focus to longer distances. My goal in my first marathon was to qualify for Boston so I could run it with my dad!

Charles: Boston is the gold standard for runners, a goal for so many of us.  To qualify wasn't my initial goal in running--health and confidence were my focus as I mentioned earlier.  But as I developed into a decent age group runner, competing in Boston became overwhelmingly important to me!

How has this experience strengthened your relationship?

Molly: We already have a strong relationship, but I think this added another shared experience that we can talk about for years to come. I've watched him train hard to qualify for and to compete in this race, so it was amazing to share this experience with him! Running the Boston Marathon enabled me to understand why he loves this race so much, and given that we both re-qualified for next year's race, we now have next year's marathon to look forward to!

Charles: Our relationship is already so strong, but I believe that this shared experience added to the stories that we will share with our family forever.  In addition, Molly has heard me discuss my experiences in the Boston Marathon for so many years--to share the Boston Marathon with her now together is a wonderful accomplishment for me!

What was the best part about race day? 

Molly: The best part about race day was being able to hang out with my dad in Hopkington prior to the start of the race. He was able to give me advice about the start in Hopkington and the course prior to starting. This really helped to calm my nerves before the race, as the start in Hopkington can be a bit overwhelming and hectic (especially given that the only other marathon I'd run had a way smaller field!). The wait in Hopkington for the start is quite long, so it was great to have my dad there to chat with me and distract me. Finishing was also a great part of race day, especially being able to talk about the race and our experiences as we recovered!

Charles: Two comments--the first, just hanging out with my daughter on the bus, discussing race strategy and trying to share all of the wisdom I have gained in the years competing here.  And also just being with Molly!  And then lastly, seeing her at the Fleet Feet team lounge, giving her a huge, proud father hug and then listening to her describe this absolutely iconic event from her perspective.  Absolutely magical experience!