Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Milwaukee, Wis. — Two years ago Monday, North Shore Firefighter James Gefke was crossing the finish line of the Boston Marathon in his full firefighter gear.
Crowds of people huddled around the finish line, watching him complete the race in memory of his friend and fellow firefighter John Harrington, who died in May 2004 as a result of a bike/vehicle accident. As a marathon runner, completing the Boston race is one of the highest achievements.
“I’ve run a few marathons in the past and they are all amazing events and the energy is amazing, and Boston, in particular, it’s even a little more special because it’s a huge deal in Boston - it’s tax day, the whole city shuts down and everything revolves around the race,” he said. “It’s become the race for marathoners and the ultimate goal is to be able to participate in that.”
Gefke trained long hours by running in his full gear all around the North Shore.
“It seems almost a life time ago and it was an amazing thing to be a part of, and I was happy to be a part of it,” he said.
Two years ago, he crossed the finish line of the Boston Marathon at nearly the same time two bombs went off on Monday, turning an event known for its energy and enthusiasm into a nightmare.
Gefke was responding to a call Monday when he first heard the new news that bombs rocked the Boston Marathon.
“There are so many people there in the finish - there’s not too many places for them to go - and when something like that happens from being there as a runner and being there as an emergency responder the logistical aspects of something like that happening is just horrific,” he said.
As people begin to grasp what happened that day, it is his hope that strength will come from the tragedy.
“I hope we build and come back stronger and keep living our lives to the fullest and hope that doesn’t detract form doing really positive things,” Gefke said. “I hope we can move forward and pray for the people who were lost and injured that day, but hopefully we’ll press on and make those events great in the future.”
Gefke is not new to turning tragedy into something positive. Every year, for nine years Gefke has held a nine-mile bike ride event in honor of his longtime friend and high school classmate. This year’s bike ride is May 26 and it raises funds for the Wisconsin Burn Survivors Network in memory of Harrington.
Gefke can’t believe it’s been nine years since the bike ride event started. Even running the Boston Marathon in pounds of firefighter gear seems like years ago, and an accomplishment he still can’t believe he achieved.
“It’s amazing what the human body can endure and that’s the spirit of those type of events and in Boston in particular. It’s an amazing time and an amazing city and I’m really sad, obviously like everyone is, but I am pretty confident moving forward that it will be a really strong event,” he said.
For information on the bike ride, visit bikeforjohn.com.
Copyright 2013 Journal Sentinel Inc.
All Rights Reserved