Thanks for Getting Me to the Finish

Sunday afternoon at 2:15 PM I met my goal of covering 100 miles in under 30 hours.  My final time was 29 hours and 15 minutes.  The weather was good all day and night, which makes a huge difference, and the volunteers at Ghost Train were incredible with their aid station hospitality. 

Many runners have pacers and crews to help them get to the finish line. This run I ran solo but you, the New England JFON crew paced me from a distance - and we got it done!  Knowing that so many joined the effort through prayers, good wishes and donations gave me the extra inspiration that is always required when one's tired legs and mind want to send you home without finishing.  Thanks to all who made this an extra special finish. 

If you would still like to support migrants in honor of this effort, you may do so here.   

I wish I could thank you all personally for your support and dedication to New England JFON. I look forward to when our trails cross so I can share my appreciation personally.

- Gary

Thinking About the Finish Line

Imagining the finish line is one thing but getting there is whole other matter. 

Getting to the finish is a collective effort. It takes a community of volunteers, pacers and crew members to get one person to the line. Without this community effort, very few would be able to complete a long-distance effort. I am so grateful for all who have supported me over the years. Every finished race has the handprints of folks I know and don't know. 

It is the same with our shared long-distance effort of providing free, expert legal services to immigrant communities; it is a community effort from start to finish. I am humbled by the support this effort has received and will be thinking of all of you during my run on Saturday and Sunday. Every one of you is part of my crew for this race and this fundraiser. 

My estimated time to cross the finish line at the Ghost Train Ultra Run is early Sunday afternoon.  I look forward to reporting back early next week on my effort. 

New England Justice for Our Neighbors' Website

Miles for Migrants Fundraising Page

9 Days Until Race Day! ☀☁⛈

Checking the extended forecast is a pre-race ritual for many runners. We want to know what to expect when we toe the line on race day. 

So far the weather looks good for October 15-16, but we all know that a 9-day New England weather prediction and 50 cents might get you a half of cup of coffee! I will be preparing for the cold and rain as well as the sun and wind. Luckily, this race will bring me back to my base camp every 15 miles, so I can change clothes and shoes if needed. 

As I have been preparing for the race, my thoughts have been with the Venezuelan migrants who were misled and transported from Texas to Martha's Vineyard. It's difficult to imagine how these immigrants must have felt, being promised so much and then landing on a remote island where every promise proved to be a lie. Thankfully, local residents and organizations quickly put into place a hospitality plan, and lawyers are now at work preparing cases, but these immigrants' situations are far from resolved. 

Worrying about the possibility of cold weather on a race day is a privilege compared to the types of uncertainty many of  our migrant sisters and brothers face everyday. I am grateful that so many have joined this effort to extend free, expert legal services to migrants that arrive in Western, Central, and Northeastern Massachusetts.  Every donation to New England Justice for Our Neighbors contributes to our shared effort to provide immigration justice and create a brighter forecast for our clients' futures. 

If you would like to join the team of race sponsors, follow this link.  Thank you!