24 April, 2009 I had a visit with Tim & Karen Raben today in Safeway. They just returned from a trip to Boston, where Tim competed in the Boston Marathon. He was exuberant about the experience, and was wearing his official blue & yellow jacket. There were 24,000 participants, and Tim said they were all transported to the beginning of the race by bus. Racers had to be at the Boston Commons at 5:30 am. 30 busses took 2 hours to get everyone to the starting line. Sounded quite amazing. Karen was waiting close to the finish line, and said the marathon is definitely not a spectator sport--waiting over 3 hrs among a million people, and no place to sit.. Tim explained that they were connected to AT&T and each time he passed a specific marker, she received a text message, so she knew how far he had run and that all was well. They both said they met some great people, and Tim mentioned a father who goes every year and pushes his paraplegic son in his wheelchair. Karen said Tim was invited back next year (qualifyiing is no small feat, I'm told), but has not decided if he will try the adventure again. Judging by his huge smile, and the excitement in his voice, I wouldn't be surprised if the challenge beckons once more!!! Congrats on a job well done, Tim!! Linda