At mile 24 of the Boston Marathon most runners are either relieved that the hills of Newton are behind them, or are looking forward to the finish line on Boylston Street less than 5k ahead. But for Bill O’Dell at this year’s Boston Marathon the 24th mile was the most important one, because that’s where he planned to ask his girlfriend Holly to marry him.
“No one knew this was going to happen, except my two brothers who were there at the marathon, her mother who stayed home, and the guy I bought the ring from. We planned it for mile 24.5 right on the course. I felt awful during the run, but I had inspiration as to what was going to happen. I got up there, and when I saw everyone at mile 24.5, and I pulled off. Holly started getting on me because she thought I was quitting. I told her that I just needed a quick hug.
“When I hugged her that was the cue for my brother to put the ring in my hand. I said to her ‘How would you like to join the O’Dell team?’ She thought I meant that I needed her help to finish the rest of the race. She said, ‘no you don’t need me, you can’t make it!’ Well, that didn’t go over right.
“On the flight out to
Boston we had read an article that said that a man adds seven hours to a woman’s household chores. So I said to her, ‘how would you like to add seven hours to your household chores?’ She looked at me like I was delirious. That’s when I pulled out the ring and put it on her finger.”
As he ran the last two miles, Bill realized that he’d forgotten something – he had neglected to wait for an answer. After he finished the marathon, he called her on his cell phone to find out. She said yes.
“The bottom line,” Bill says, “is that I’m a very happy man.”
Congratulations Bill from everyone in the Rocky Mountain Road Runners!