50 Heres the simplest cliche: It was the best of times. It was the worst of times

Virtual Races With the Best Bling Straight Manchester Road Races.

Here’s the simplest cliche: It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.

I ran with my wife, several friends, and my two thirty-something children. The sun was shining, the weather mild, and we managed to stay together the whole way, never easy in a throng of 15,000 runners. (And something my wife, son, and I had not achieved in the 2010 Athens Marathon.)

At about the 3.5-mile mark, my wife pointed out a cluster of spectators holding a sign with my name on it, and “50 years.” I had no idea who they were, but edged over to say hello. “We’ve been here watching you all 50 years,” said one of the family members.

For many, many years, I’ve been telling people that one marvel of the Manchester Road Race is the spectator support. The race drew thousands of spectators in the 1960s, long before the running booms. It pulls tens of thousands now. Manchester is, like the Boston Marathon, a race of many traditions. It’s a tradition for runners. And a tradition for families who turn out to cheer the runners every year.

Now I had proof of what I have been saying. This particular family has been on the sidewalk applauding us runners for 50 years. Thanks, folks. (Unfortunately, I didn’t get their names. If you know how I can locate them, please get in touch.)

My kids and I finished hand-in-hand in 55:12. It was my slowest Manchester ever. And my best. Of course, every Manchester finish is a best at this point.

At the awards ceremony, race officials gave me a plaque with the photo of Charlie “Doc” Robbins and me together at his 50th straight Manchester in 2001. The plaque was presented by Robbins’s daughter, Barrie. It read: “In recognition of your 50th consecutive Manchester Road Race, which ties the longevity record held by Dr. Charlie Robbins. Somewhere, ‘Doc’ is smiling.”

This one’s a keeper.