The first rays of sunlight have yet to brush the sky and the streets are cloaked in icy darkness, but for 15 students on the Tufts Marathon Team, this frigid Monday morning brims with energy. The runners lace up their sneakers, scarf down bananas, chug water and slide in their AirPods, queuing upbeat tunes. While the world around them remains in a quiet slumber, they are awake in every sense. Each stride builds unshakable endurance, every hill sharpens their resolve and these cold, early hours forge the mental steel they will need to conquer the legendary 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boylston Street on Marathon Monday. In these cold, pre-dawn hours, they’re already champions in the making.
These students are practically superhuman — balancing intense training with the demands of school. Dylan Patel, a senior on the team, offers a glimpse into what a week of training looks like. The runners kick off the week with recovery runs or low-impact cross-training like swimming or biking. When Tuesday arrives, it’s time for interval runs. By Wednesday and Thursday, they’re knocking out steady medium-length runs. Friday ramps up the intensity again with fast sprints, while Saturday’s cross-training ensures they’re building strength without burning out. The week wraps up with the ultimate test: a long, grueling run on Sunday.
“It’s kind of [a] discipline in some cases. … It’s balancing … spending some nights going out, hanging out with friends, and dedicating a lot of other nights to going to bed early so I can get up in the morning and get a good workout in,” Patel said.
But all the training hours come with immense rewards. Patel recalls the moment when he ran 18 miles as one of the most satisfying milestones in his training.
“If you can do the 18, you could probably do the 26. … So the day that I did that I was really, really excited,” Patel shared.
These milestones aren’t just the product of a few weeks of hard work. They’re the result of years of commitment. For senior Caroline Walsh, her journey started back in her freshman fall. It wasn’t just the thrill of running that kept her lacing up her sneakers, it was the team’s camaraderie.
“I don’t enjoy running by myself that much, but with [the] Marathon team, there’s always groups of people to run with, so it makes the runs go by so quickly,” Walsh said.
And, of course, the post-run snacks are a solid motivator too. “It’s such a supportive environment, and there’s always snacks at the end of the runs, so that kept me coming,” she said.
At the helm of the Tufts Marathon Team is coach Don Megerle, whose unwavering dedication has earned him a place into the Tufts Athletic Hall of Fame and even a feature in a 2007 PBS documentary. Over the years, Megerle has guided more than 2,700 runners to the finish line, helping them raise over $12 million for the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. With decades of coaching experience, starting as the head coach of Jumbos’ swim, Megerle’s connection to the Marathon Team transcends traditional coaching. It is rooted in a deep love and undeniable passion for his runners’ success.
Since 2005, Megerle has made it his mission to be by his runners’ sides every step of the way.
“I’m with them all year long. I see them at all the water stops, hand them water, talk to them, take their sweaty clothes. I counsel them during the run. After the run, in the morning of, I’m with them constantly, and then to see them get ready and run the Boston Marathon … words can’t describe it,” Megerle said.
Charlotte Robles is a testament to Megerle’s unwavering dedication to his runners. Though often the last to finish during team runs and occasionally getting lost along the way, Megerle never saw the challenges she faced as setbacks. Instead, he saw them as opportunities for growth. Halfway through long runs, he would turn the entire team around, asking them to run in the opposite direction so Robles could lead the pack. In doing so, he transformed her mindset, helping her visualize herself at the front of the race. The ingenious idea built her confidence, empowering her to push forward. Coach Don’s approach is about more than just finishing the race — he instills strength, belief and confidence in each runner.
As Walsh describes it, “He wants everyone to finish the marathon, but also do it in a way that's enjoyable and healthy.”
With just 11 weeks until the Boston Marathon, Megerle and his dedicated team are diving headfirst into the grind. But as much as the hard work intensifies, the buzz of excitement is undeniable.
“I think I’m most looking forward to getting to mile nine, which is where coach Don and a lot of the marathon team will be,” Walsh said.
One of the most thrilling moments during the marathon is at mile nine. Mile nine is the beating heart of the race, where the energy and support from Megerle and the Tufts community surge to their peak. This is where families gather, lined with food, snacks and a sea of vibrant Tufts apparel, turning the moment into an unforgettable celebration. As Megerle put it, “The people go nuts.” It’s more than just a cheer; it’s a wave of encouragement that will carry runners through the toughest stretches ahead.
Perhaps even more exciting than mile nine is the finish line. Megerle’s office is adorned with hundreds of photos of runners, many of which capture the raw excitement and joy they feel upon spotting him at the finish. These images reflect not only the runners’ elation but Megerle’s as well, whose happiness is intertwined with their success.
“As far as I'm concerned, these runners are running to me. I mean, they’re running to the finish, but they are running to me, and when we see each other at the finish line, it’s indescribable,” Megerle explained.
Before the race, Megerle often sits down with his runners to talk through their concerns.
“Last year … I noticed a lot of apprehension in their faces," Megerle recalled. "I didn’t know why.”
He had talked about pacing, eating, drinking and all the logistics, but something else seemed to be on their minds. He didn’t ask them directly, but later realized they were questioning whether they could finish the marathon.
“When I saw them after they finished, all that worry and concern just went away,” Megerle recounted.
As the 2025 Boston Marathon draws near, the Tufts Marathon Team stands not just as a group of athletes, but as a testament to the power of perseverance, community and heart. Every early morning run, challenging mile and supportive cheer represents more than just a race. It embodies a journey where runners transform their fears into triumphs and their doubts into confidence.
Patel explains, “I think it’s going to be a really, really, really rewarding moment, seeing my friends being so supportive.”
As Mergle said, there are no words that could fully capture the emotion of crossing the finish line. Perhaps that’s why Megerle’s office is adorned with photos of his runners, capturing the joy, determination and victory that words simply can't encapsulate. For these athletes, it’s not just about the medal or the time; it’s about pushing past limits and knowing they have the unwavering support of a community every step of the way. And, when the finish line is in sight, one thing is certain: No matter the outcome, they have already won.
