My entire body aches as I walk around trying to communicate through the remnants of my voice, which outdid itself on Monday 15 April, the day of Boston’s 128th marathon. Four days later, my body and voice are as impaired as if I was the one running the marathon, although, I cannot lie when I say that the euphoria within me was equal to what a runner on that day would be feeling. 

Every year during the Boston Marathon, Wellesley College students take the sidelines in what is historically called the ‘Scream Tunnel.’ Marking the halfway point of the marathon at mile 13, the scream tunnel is an automatic mood-lifter for runners, as you can see the smiles emerge on their faces when they enter the tunnel. Some reporters claim that runners’ moods change when they hear the screaming from around a quarter of a mile away. One student even claimed that ‘MarMon’ (Marathon Monday) made almost every other day at Wellesley worth it. Thus, one would ask, why is the simple act of spectating a marathon such a big deal at this college, and a great source of happiness and excitement for so many students?  

While we all do know that having spectators to cheer for a sport is the best form of encouragement runners can get, I believe that a similar level of euphoria can be attained by simply being a spectator. The act of cheering has several beneficial effects on the individual cheering, and this is why I believe MarMon is such an adored and awaited event at Wellesley. For starters, cheering for the marathon runners gives a lot of us something to fight for. It makes Wellesley students feel like a part of something this important, as not everyone is lucky and fit enough to do something as amazing as run the Boston Marathon. Looking at the gratitude on the runners’ faces makes us want to cheer more and makes us use our voices to the fullest, maximizing our own physical capacities (just like the runners). This is because we believe that in our own way, as college students, we are contributing to the success of the runners. As spectators, we take it upon ourselves to fight for these runners, adopting the runner’s personal goals as our own. 

Furthermore, the end of the semester is a time when things start to get dull, and there is a general lack of motivation and excitement around campus. Having one of the world’s most famous marathons run through Wellesley College gives students the sense of excitement that they need. Seeing runners from all around the world helps some students escape the Wellesley bubble for a day. Furthermore, looking at the elite runners (the best in their field) inspires Wellesley students to be amazing in their own fields. 

I never thought spectating a marathon would be as euphoric and beneficial for the spectator, and this is why I believe MarMon is such a popular event at Wellesley.