The idea for Bostonlog sprang from the chaos erupting at the 4:09:43 mark of the 2013 Boston Marathon. Kenneth Williams was one of the first of many runners to be stopped that day on Commonwealth Ave., just a kilometer short of the finish line.
In the hours and days following the terror and confusion of that infamous bombing, Kenneth shared his post-race experience with friends, relatives, the media, and most importantly, with many fellow runners. He realized all the first person accounts he heard needed to be preserved. He envisioned a website where that could happen.
But over the next few months, Kenneth’s goal grew well beyond recording stories of runners caught up in the tragic 2013 event. He understood every runner who has ever completed the foot-journey from Hopkinton to Boston appreciates the special quality of the race, and each has a story that needs telling.
The mission for our small staff at Bostonlog is to serve as a repository for the memories of all people who have run those 26.2 miles, and to make their stories accessible to millions of people world-wide who want to read about courage, dedication and perseverance…
The BostonLog Team
Kenneth Williams – Founder
Kenneth ran his first marathon in Chicago in 1978, and has completed over five dozen marathons since then, both in the U.S. and overseas. He first ran Boston in 1991, then began a consecutive streak in 2003 he continues until today.
Kenneth is a certified running coach (charging no fee), and a few years ago ran the full 400 mile length of Mississippi, speaking with more than 10,000 school kids along the way about exercise and health, while raising $112,500 for fitness at Boys and Girls Clubs in the state.
“I was looking for a way to ‘give back’ to my favorite race. Bostonlog is a labor of love, where the wonderful stories from runners of the Boston Marathon from all years, could be shared with others. I invite all Boston finishers to join me in this effort.”
Megan Joyce – Social Media Director
Megan is our social media director and she is indeed teaching old dogs new tricks. We are tweeting on Twitter, using hash tags, re-tweeting, posting on the Facebook page, all under her direction. Megan handles just about all of our emails/messages and is making our presence known on the internet. We are trying to utilize Kenneth’s 10,500 followers, as well as establishing our own identity. Oh, and it is working! She is gathering BostonLog Ambassadors from far and wide.
Lynn O’Neal – Staff Researcher and BostonLog Contributor Contact
After a health scare at the age of 41, Lynn joined a gym in hopes of improving her health, but had not run since high school. After elbow tendon release surgery left her looking at a very long recovery, she started walking off her pent up energy. Lynn soon became bored with walking and started running: “I ran from one mail box to another on country roads, until before long I was running miles and enjoying every minute. I soon connected with the local running community and after several years of 5Ks, 10Ks, and two marathons, I found myself at the starting line of the Boston Marathon 2014.”
At the age of 46 she now describes herself as an avid runner.
Curt Metzger – Manager, BostonLog Twitter Account
Curt began running in 2010 as a way to manage his health. He soon got the itch to race and ran his first marathon in 2011. In 2012 he was able to qualify for Boston in his second marathon.
Curt became involved with the BostonLog project after following Koach Kenneth Williams on social media: “Boston 2013 was the beginning of my relationship with Koach, whom I had never met. The events of that day put in motion so many giving and thoughtful people, and I am fortunate to be involved in BostonLog. My running continues (now seven Marathons and 5,000+ Miles) as does the quest for that amazing BQ. My first Boston Streak ended at two, but I plan to return in 2016.”
Kelly Swan Taylor – Coordinator, Boston Marathon Film Twitter account
Kelly and her husband Jonathan reside in Providence, Rhode Island. She is a Business and Intellectual Property attorney in Boston, with a law office just a block from the 2013 bombing sites. As a marathon participant that year, Kelly has a close connection to those tragic events.
Kelly has enjoyed meeting many special and dedicated runners through social media, and is proud to have been asked to handle all aspects of the Boston The Film Twitter account.
To combine her loves of running and writing, Kelly details her many racing experiences on her running blog: “Kel’s Run: Running In Circles.” She hopes her future running endeavors include the Chicago and London Marathons, and of course coming back to Boston and New York City!
Mona Lisa Grady – Chief Troubleshooter, Tie Breaker, and Problem Solver
Mona Lisa has been involved with BostonLog since its inception, serving as “guest Tweeter” for Founder Kenneth Williams (@MarathonKoach) during the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. She also helped with @BostonLog as it “trended” during the 2014 Marathon.
Mona Lisa is Race Director/Coordinator for the 1500 runner Corinth Coca-Cola Classic, Mississippi’s largest 10k race. She also works as the Director of the local Community Foundation and several other non-profit projects in Alcorn County. “Service” seems to be her middle name as Mona constantly does volunteer work for church, civic, and educational endeavors in her community, especially when her children are involved.
Mona Lisa and husband Ned, both graduates of Mississippi State University, have two sons to whom they are deeply devoted.
Woody Harrell – Editor and part time Curmudgeon
Woody is responsible for the www.BostonLog.com website, where your stories are archived.
Woody’s initial marathon career spanned a five year period during the mid ‘70s, and included two trips to Boston, where he famousily outran Bill Rodgers in 1973. After retiring as a Park Ranger in 2012, Woody and his wife Cynthia completed a 2,184.2 mile thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. The restorative powers of all that walking overcame a number of old running injuries, and allowed him to once again run Boston in 2014. Woody is “America’s Goodluck Charm,” as every Boston Marathon he has run has produced an American winner.
Woody was named Time Magazine’s “Man of the Year” in 1966.