Theres four. Toncho got 15 salty kisses before she stopped counting

April 21, 2008—At Wellesley College, in Wellesley, Massachusetts, students get more than a prestigious liberal-arts education. They learn how to scream.

For 111 years, the women of Wellesley College have made spectating a sport. On Marathon Monday, it's tradition for students to cheer on Boston Marathoners who race past campus near mile 13. Thousands of women line about a quarter mile of the course, motivating runners with hoots, hollers, high-fives ... even kisses. The so-called Wellesley Scream Tunnel is so loud, runners say they can hear it from a mile away.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

Best Running Shoes 2025

Wellesley women start staking out their spots and hanging their signs along the barricades around 9:15 a.m. Their lung workout begins when the first racers, the hand cyclists, enter the Scream Tunnel around 10:15 a.m.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

Best Running Shoes 2025

The elite women, including eventual winner Dire Tune of Ethiopia (number 7) cruise past Wellesley around 10:45 a.m., about one hour and 10 minutes after starting. (Tune finished in 2:25:25.)

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

Best Running Shoes 2025

Pacing is important through the Scream Tunnel, where it's easy to get pumped up and surge ahead. It's important to remember that there are still 13 long miles—and plenty of uphills—to go.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

Best Running Shoes 2025

Some of the faster women in the field, including Denise Robson, 39, of Nova Scotia, Canada, show their appreciation for the sisterhood of support.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

Best Running Shoes 2025

Christa Benton, 24, of St. Petersburg, Florida, slaps hands down the entire length of the Scream Tunnel.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

Best Running Shoes 2025

The elite men, including eventual winner Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya (number one), make their way past Wellesley around 11 a.m., one hour after starting. (Cheruiyot finished in 2:07:46.)

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

Best Running Shoes 2025

Jamie Parks, 46, of Tinley Park, Illinois, pushes his wife, Lynn, with one hand so he can reach out to spectators. The Parks, who finished in 3:25:46, were named Runner's World Heroes of Running in 2007.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

Best Running Shoes 2025

How much do runners love Wellesley College? So much that this runner from New York City's Central Park Track Club (orange singlet) doesn't want to leave. Clock check: 11:42:03 a.m.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

Best Running Shoes 2025

The Psychology Behind Runners’ Obsession With BQs.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

Best Running Shoes 2025

Plan Your BQ Race So It Will Count for Two Years.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

Best Running Shoes 2025

CA Notice at Collection.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

Best Running Shoes 2025

Red Sox fan and future Wellesley woman?

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

Best Running Shoes 2025

One runner, not too concerned about his finish time, makes his way down the line, asking his adoring fans to autograph his clothing.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

Best Running Shoes 2025

Countless male runners take Alyson Toncho, 19, a Wellesley sophomore from Minneapolis, up on her offer.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

Best Running Shoes 2025

There's one...

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

Best Running Shoes 2025

There's two...

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

Best Running Shoes 2025

There's three...

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

Best Running Shoes 2025

There's four. Toncho got 15 salty kisses before she stopped counting.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

Best Running Shoes 2025

"The men are all sweaty and gross, but getting kissed is wonderful," says Mary Kaddah, 20, a sophomore from New York City (holding the pink sign).

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

Best Running Shoes 2025