Spark Running Will Host Run for Boston

Spark Running owner Caitlin Burman has spent most of her life running.

She owns a store for runners in Severna Park and hosts classes and training session to help area residents looking to run 5Ks and half-marathons.

Burman was not at the Boston Marathon on Monday, but between 10-15 of her customers were there. And she said she has felt the effects.

“It’s been interesting as a runner,” she said. “Even though I wasn’t there it feels like this is on a personal level.”

That’s why Burman and Spark Running are participating in the Independent Running Retailers Association’s (IRRA) nationwide run to support the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.

On Monday at 6:30 p.m., area runners can participate in Run for Boston by meeting at Spark Running for a 3-mile run through Olde Severna Park

“This has had a direct impact in our community stores and we wanted to do something,” Burman said. “All paces are welcome. We are just trying to encourage people to not stop running and lace up their shoes and go for a run. Runners are a strong community and this is how we runners come together.”

In addition to the run, the IRRA has sent Spark Running a graphic to use on Run for Boston T-Shirts.

The shirts will be sold at Spark Running beginning Monday afternoon for $20. All proceeds from the shirts will go to One Fund Boston, which is a charity organization the Boston Athletic Association has set up, Burman said.

Since the bombings in Boston, Burman has spoken to many of her customers that were there. She said that while they are visibly affected, they managed to find some sort of comfort from the tragic events.

“The runners who were there said they were touched by the human spirit,” Burman said. “While all these horrific things were happening they saw people helping people. To quote one of my customers she said it was, ‘an amazing display of human spirit.’”

The Run for Boston will begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Spark Running in Park Plaza. All level of runners are welcome and encouraged to wear blue and yellow—the colors of the Boston Marathon.

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