2020 was a 12 months of hardship and sacrifice for a lot of. The lack of group occasions meant that it was additionally a 12 months of isolation.
For the runners who sit up for the yearly Boston Marathon, which was canceled final 12 months, it meant that not solely did they miss out on the camaraderie and bodily endurance of the occasion, but in addition the smiling face of Spencer, the Golden Retriever.
Since 2018, the pup has sat by the aspect of the marathon’s route and inspired runners together with his cheery demeanor and “Boston Sturdy” flag dangling from his mouth.
“He gave me in addition to all the opposite runners a lot pleasure and power. There he was, sporting that lovable raincoat and holding the flags wildly flapping, braving the weather. Thanks a lot for the inspiration,” wrote 2018 runner Nozomi Shinoda-Wade on Facebook.
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2020 introduced distinctive challenges even for Spencer, nonetheless. That 12 months, he underwent surgical procedure to take away a 3.5-pound tumor that left him preventing for his life. Nevertheless, his proprietor Wealthy Powers famous that not solely did he pull by way of, he was properly sufficient to cheer on the 2021 marathon!
The postponed 2021 Boston Marathon was moved from the spring to the autumn. In a Facebook video, Powers wrote a sequence of indicators that the senior pup held in his mouth, saying:
“It’s been 2 ½ years. We’ve been by way of loads. We’ve missed you all. We’re able to see you once more. Welcome again runners.”
True to his phrase, Spencer returned to cheer the runners on!
He was even joined by Penny, a fellow senior pup who did her greatest as a “flag hotter,” mendacity on the sidelines to look at the stream of runners.
“It was nice to see you all and better of luck on the end line and past,” Powers wrote on Instagram after the race.
For the runners who braved delays, tough climate, and the problem of a marathon, the sight of Spencer was the proper pick-me-up.
See extra of Spencer and Penny on Instagram here!
