When it comes to Marathon Weekend, Boston knows how to show up. Runners from all over the world come to the electrified city with the hopes of crossing the Boston Marathon finish line; but did you know that just two days before 26.2 is the annual Boston 5K? More than 150 runners made up the 2024 Boston 5K Xtra Mile Team for Special Olympics, and they all came with the same energy as a Marathoner, as they too hoped to show their strength in Boston. But for Special Olympics MA Board Member Dr. Regina Robinson, the race looked a little bit different than most.

Regina had brought her entire family out to run the 2024 Boston 5K in support of Special Olympics MA. While the rest of her family ran at a quicker pace, she hung back with her son and Special Olympics MA athlete, Josiah, who not just walked the 5K… but “strolled” down the course.

“Josiah decided he was going to stroll the 5K and high-five every police officer or anyone who was willing to give him water,” she said. “He went over to have different conversations with everyone.”

It was on this leisurely journey that they met LA-native and current New Yorker, Cathy Plantenga. Cathy came to Boston to run the 5K and experience Marathon Weekend on her own, but she ended up leaving with a new group of people she now calls family.

“Oh, it was so much fun. I started off alone, but along the way they picked me up and brought me into the group,” she said. “Regina is very welcoming and she's a good ambassador for your group. We wouldn't have wars if we had people like her.”

For the rest of the 5K, Cathy, Regina and Josiah, all supported each other as they made their way toward the finish line.

“So I encouraged Josiah and said we're going to finish this,” said Cathy.

Grateful to have found a new friend on the course and knowing the power of inclusion, Regina made sure the three stuck together through the course’s entirety.

“Cathy was a great motivator for Josiah. She had so many encouraging words for him,” she said. “I mean the beauty of Special Olympics is about inclusion and creating a sense of belonging for everyone. And so that's what we did for each other.

As Josiah made is way down the final stretch before crossing the finish line, he was no longer strolling… he was sprinting! Inspired by the music and the crowd, Josiah wanted to finish the 5K strong. Regina made sure to watch him cross, and then shockingly turned around and started walking in the opposite direction of the finish line.

While the rest of the spectators were wondering why she was walking in the opposite direction, Regina knew exactly what she was doing. With a “no person gets left behind” attitude, Regina had turned around and went back to help Cathy finish the race, and they crossed the Boston 5K finish line together.

“I knew that Josiah heard the music and the music motivates him,” said Regina. “So, once I knew that he was motivated to finish, I said I'm going to turn around and motivate myself and Cathy and we're going to walk through this thing together.”

That morning, Cathy arrived at Boston Common without knowing anyone; and just one hour and seven minutes later, she was crossing the finish line with someone who she now considers a good friend.

Regina and Cathy exemplify what it means to truly go the “xtra mile.” They showed up on race day to run the Boston 5K and not only did they do that, but they spread the mission of inclusion and showed fellow runners how including different people in your group can provide the motivation everyone needs to cross the finish line.

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