Plymouth University supports trans-American relay for Boston Marathon victims

A trans-American relay which raised tens of thousands of dollars to help those affected by the Boston Marathon bombings is set to return in 2014.

Created by three friends from Devon, One Run for Boston saw more than 2,000 runners carrying a baton designed by Plymouth University student Jon Parlby right across the United States, with around 650 people joining the event as it finished on the streets of Boston in June 2013.

Now, as the first anniversary of the bombings approaches, the 3,500-mile journey will be repeated with even more people expected to carry a new baton being created by Jon Parlby.

One Run for Boston II, supported by Plymouth University, is again being organised by Danny Bent, Kate Treleaven and Jamie Hay, with support from friends across the Atlantic.

Danny Bent, who lives in Totnes, Devon, said: “This second event was inspired by runners in the States, who we have kept in touch with following the 2013 One Run for Boston. Many of them told us it changed their lives, fostering such an amazing spirit of positivity that it helped them recover from the Boston bombings and, in many cases, other personal tragedies. This is a way for all runners to help those injured by the bombings, many of whom are going to need support for the rest of their lives.”

One Run for Boston II will again raise money for the One Fund Boston, set up by the city’s Mayor to assist the victims and families most seriously affected by the marathon bombings.

Starting on March 16 on Los Angeles’ Santa Monica Beach, runners will travel through the states of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and finally, Massachusetts.
The event is scheduled to conclude on Sunday 13 April in Boston, just two days before the first anniversary of the attacks which left three people dead and dozens injured.

The original baton created by Jon Parlby, and nicknamed ‘Miles’, was presented to the Boston Athletic Association following the 2013 event. It was designed to look like a lily – a symbol of sympathy, passion and hope – and he is currently developing his design for the 2014 event.

One Run for Boston II will further cement Plymouth University’s connections with the United States, and in particular the state of Massachusetts, building towards the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s sailing in 2020.

Dr Maureen Powers, the Dean of Students at Plymouth University, who hails from near Boston, said: “Plymouth University is deeply engaged in transatlantic connections with universities, schools and researchers in Massachusetts in particular and throughout the United States. Our support of this relay across America, to raise funds for those affected by the bombings, is a natural extension of our support for colleagues abroad. It also demonstrates our commitment to the ethos of peace and cultural acceptance which is represented through the baton carried by every runner.”

One Run for Boston II was launched at the weekend, with a website detailing the planned route and encouraging people to sign up to take part. More details are available at www.onerunforboston.org

To find out more about the huge range of opportunities available to those studying at Plymouth University, visit www.plymouth.ac.uk