Former ASU Track Stars Battle Horrid Conditions to Conquer 122nd Boston Marathon

BOSTON, MA—The 2018 Boston Marathon drew over 30,000 participants from every walk of life.

That includes three friends who used to run track for Angelo State University.

Becca Simmons, of San Angelo, Melina Conner, of Lubbock, and Trista Box, of San Angelo, who were a part of a conference championship team for ASU, set out on a two year journey to complete the 26.2-mile trek many have dubbed  “the Super Bowl of running.”

“It was stressful training,” Simmons said of the two year process. “It was almost two years of work drawn out. There were a lot of scheduling issues. We had one chance and we all decided to do it. It was tough.”

Box still holds the school records for the 1,500 (4:24.31) and 3,000-meter runs (9:46.76) at ASU with times she posted during the 2007 season.

Conditions on Monday, April 16, were the worst in the 122-year history of the race.

Runners who were brave enough to attempt the race got everything Mother Nature could throw. That includes ice, sleet, 30-degree temperatures, mud and gale-force winds slapping each runner in the face as the sarcastic cherry on top.

“From the beginning, we were checking the weather,” said Conner. “We knew the weather wasn’t going to be great, but we didn’t know the extent. It was beautiful when we first got there. It was a complete 360-degree flip on race day.”

The conditions were so bad that 25 elite runners, a group that includes Olympians and Olympic hopefuls, dropped out of the fabled race.

 “Why am I doing this,” Conner thought at the start tent where she saw accumulated ice and mud.

The conditions took their toll on every runner’s body. It was bad enough to where 2,500 people needed to receive considerable medical treatment.

“The weather took everything we had,” Simmons said.

Just as the runners braved the weather, so too did the fans.

“I was surprised at how many fans there were,” Box said. “Every corner you turned, there was someone cheering you to the finish.”

The three friends were initially schedule to start apart with Box and Simmons starting before Conner. Due to the weather, however, the three decided to start in the same pack of runners that started the grueling race at 10:25 Eastern time.

“I’m so grateful they started back,” Conner said. “That helped us stay together. We needed that for emotional support.”

After the gun signaled the start for their group, the trio stuck together and stayed together until around mile 15.

Newton Hill and Heartbreak Hill stretch from mile 17 to mile 22 and provide an added difficulty to the race on a good day, much less a day when the elements are seemingly working against the runners.

“Those are the most challenging parts of the course,” Conner said adding that her legs were numb at this point. “When you come over Heartbreak, you see a sign that says ‘Heartbreak Over.’ It was then I knew I was going to finish. I started running my fastest miles after that point.”

At mile 24, runners turn Coolidge Corner and the finish line is in sight.

“You turn that corner and emotions flood over you,” Conner said.

Conner, who trained on her own for the most part leading up to the race, finished with the fastest time of the three at 3 hours, 34 minutes, 56 seconds. That time is good enough to re-qualify for the 2019 Boston Marathon in her division, but Conner won’t be back to Beantown for the race.

“I’ve retired from marathons,” Conner laughed. “I’ve proved it to myself. I don’t have to prove it to anyone else.”

Simmons, who qualified for the 2005 NCAA Division II Nationals in the 10,000-meter race, came across with a time of 3 hours, 40 minutes, 43 seconds.

“It was very rough,” Simmons said. “There was a lot of prayer. I knew my body was capable, but multiple times I thought “Am I going to be able to do this?”

Simmons also said she was running for her 3-year-old son who was born early and has seen specialists since his birth.

“If he can live his life care-free, why can’t I run this marathon,” Simmons thought. “It gave me a mental boost and definitely made this more emotional.”

Box, battling through the pain of an IT band issue, came across the finish line after hugging her husband for an added push of strength with a mark of 3 hours, 50 minutes, 10 seconds.

“I was looking for a dry spot,” Box joked. “There was a rush of tears, pain and joy. Being able to cross the finish line was a great relief. I kept remembering God’s strength.”

“I kept thinking of a verse, Romans chapter five, verses three through five,” Box added. “I kept thinking “knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”

Once they crossed the finish line, the three finally got the see the depth of the support from their friends and family.

“I was surprised at the contacts from friends,” Simmons said. “There were people I hadn’t talked to in years sending me words of encouragement.”

While the friends met their goal, this may be the last full marathon they run.

“I think [half-marathons] are our favorite,” Simmons laughed.