A Last Farewell

The cannon fired for the 110th running of the Boston Marathon and I struggled through the crowded throng of runners for the first two miles. At four miles a breathless voice from behind that I recognized immediately said, “Hey Sarver I thought that was you”. I turned around to see my old teammate and friend Kevin Gatons running up beside to catch me. It was a flashback to hundreds of races that we ran together back in Western Pennsylvania.

Kevin and I ran for Allegheny Nike and Asics Pittsburgh as teammates for over fifteen years. For decades it wasn’t unusual for one or the other to be staring at the others back during a race. This time we were racing for another reason. This was Kevin’s first Boston Marathon and I was touring the course this year shooting for a sub-three hour finish. We ran together from four miles to fifteen miles discussing family, career, and racing or lack of racing. We both became more involved in coaching of other athletes.

Kevin was an elementary school teacher and also an assistant track and cross-country coach in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Cheryl his wife was a national and international class runner having run in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Marathon trials, 1997 World Games and numerous National Championships. They have three beautiful children, Sydney, Quinton, and Lillian.

We ran through the Newton hills from fifteen to eighteen miles. Kevin began to struggle a little then turned to me and motioned to go ahead. At that point I still wanted to break three hours and Kevin wanted to finish the race. We said our farewells and he waved as I went off toward the finish. “I’ll see you at the finish line”. If only I knew I would have ran and walked with him to the finish line.

Kevin ran, jogged and walked to the finish line in Boston in just over three hours. We were both somewhat disappointed with our times and yet still happy to finish another marathon. When I returned to New Jersey I talked with Kevin and Cheryl throughout the summer and fall.

Later in November of 2006 I came home after a run with an urgent message to call the Gatons. When Cheryl answered the phone the first thing I heard was, “He’s gone, Kevin is gone”. Kevin was at the Pennsylvania State Cross-Country Championship with one of his athletes touring the course the day before the state race. Kevin collapsed while running the course and despite immediate medical attention left this world.

Over 2,000 friends, teachers, coaches, athletes and former teammates attended the funeral and church service for Kevin. There is an empty place in this world since he passed away. I dedicated the 2007 Boston Marathon to Kevin, his accomplishments and his memory.

The 2008 Boston Marathon will be the second year since I last ran and reminisced with Kevin. This year is also the Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials in Boston. The link between Cheryl’s previous accomplishments in the Olympic Trials and Kevin’s desire to run Boston will again be on my mind for different reasons. Part of my thoughts of the 2008 Boston Marathon will be on the Olympic spirit. Another part of me will be thinking of the human spirit that Kevin embodied throughout his life. A final part of my thoughts will be the feelings of a last farewell.



	A Last Farewell The cannon fired for the 110th running of the Boston Marathon and I struggled through the crowded throng of runners for the first two miles. At four miles a breathless voice from behind that I recognized immediately said, “Hey Sarver I thought that was you”. I turned around to see my old teammate and friend Kevin Gatons running up beside to catch me. It was a flashback to hundreds of races that we ran together back in Western Pennsylvania. Kevin and I ran for Allegheny Nike and Asics Pittsburgh as teammates for over fifteen years. For decades it wasn’t unusual for one or the other to be staring at the others back during a race. This time we were racing for another reason. This was Kevin’s first Boston Marathon and I was touring the course this year shooting for a sub-three hour finish. We ran together from four miles to fifteen miles discussing family, career, and racing or lack of racing. We both became more involved in coaching of other athletes. Kevin was an elementary school teacher and also an assistant track and cross-country coach in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Cheryl his wife was a national and international class runner having run in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Marathon trials, 1997 World Games and numerous National Championships. They have three beautiful children, Sydney, Quinton, and Lillian. We ran through the Newton hills from fifteen to eighteen miles. Kevin began to struggle a little then turned to me and motioned to go ahead. At that point I still wanted to break three hours and Kevin wanted to finish the race. We said our farewells and he waved as I went off toward the finish. “I’ll see you at the finish line”. If only I knew I would have ran and walked with him to the finish line. Kevin ran, jogged and walked to the finish line in Boston in just over three hours. We were both somewhat disappointed with our times and yet still happy to finish another marathon. When I returned to New Jersey I talked with Kevin and Cheryl throughout the summer and fall. Later in November of 2006 I came home after a run with an urgent message to call the Gatons. When Cheryl answered the phone the first thing I heard was, “He’s gone, Kevin is gone”. Kevin was at the Pennsylvania State Cross-Country Championship with one of his athletes touring the course the day before the state race. Kevin collapsed while running the course and despite immediate medical attention left this world. Over 2,000 friends, teachers, coaches, athletes and former teammates attended the funeral and church service for Kevin. There is an empty place in this world since he passed away. I dedicated the 2007 Boston Marathon to Kevin, his accomplishments and his memory. The 2008 Boston Marathon will be the second year since I last ran and reminisced with Kevin. This year is also the Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials in Boston. The link between Cheryl’s previous accomplishments in the Olympic Trials and Kevin’s desire to run Boston will again be on my mind for different reasons. Part of my thoughts of the 2008 Boston Marathon will be on the Olympic spirit. Another part of me will be thinking of the human spirit that Kevin embodied throughout his life. A final part of my thoughts will be the feelings of a last farewell.