Moshier Run to live on at Boston Marathon
Matt Clement has never run a marathon before, but come April 19 he’ll not only be stepping off on the oldest and most recognized one in the world, but racing with the legacy of a Delmar fundraiser.
Clement, a Bethlehem Central grad who now lives in Boston, will be running the Boston Marathon to benefit the Captain Timothy J. Moshier Memorial Foundation, which for the past three years has held the Captain Timothy J. Moshier Memorial 5K.
The 5K race, held in Delmar at the end of April, has seen fields of up to 600 runners and raised tens of thousands of dollars, but will not continue in 2010.
Everyone was so helpful, said Geoff Decker, organizer of the first race. `This year we decided to just keep things a little bit smaller and more private.`
But Clement, also a high school friend of Moshier’s, saw an opportunity to keep the tradition of the race alive and simultaneously reach new heights himself by committing to running the Boston marathon.
`Living in Boston, you see the marathon every year, so I got to thinking about actually doing the marathon,` Clement said. `I got the crazy idea in my head back in December to try and merge the two.`
So far, he’s nearly reached his fundraising goal of $3,500.
The Moshier Foundation uses contributions to fund a BC High School scholarship for students proficient in math and science, Timothy Moshier’s two favorite subjects, and donates to the Fisher House, a nationwide public-private partnership that provides assistance to soldiers and their families in times of need. That program includes running comfort houses on the grounds of major VA hospitals for families of injured soldiers.
Clement was a competitive runner at BC High School, but he’s never run a full-length marathon. He’s been following an 18-week training schedule that sees him running further than he ever has.
`Having never run a marathon I cant be completely sure if I’m in good enough shape,` he said. `I think I’ve put in the work that I can.`
The 26-mile Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest ongoing annual marathon. It’s run on Patriot Day, a Massachusetts holiday. Clement is shooting to hit the qualifying time of 3 hours, 9:59.
`I’m proud to be running this race in memory of Tim. He was a good friend and I still miss him quite a bit,` Clement said.
Timothy Moshier, a Bethlehem Central and West Point graduate, was killed in action April 1, 2006, while on combat patrol in Yusufiyah, Iraq, in his AH-64D attack helicopter.
Moshier’s widow, Katie Moshier Suhr, said in a statement she’s happy to see Clement making the run.
`We are truly honored that Matt is continuing the tradition of running in memory of Tim,` she said. `It’s been nearly four years since Tim was killed and the community’s support has always been remarkable.`
You can donate toward Clement’s run by visiting www.firstgiving.com/mattclement. Donations may also be made directly to the foundation by mailing CPT Timothy J. Moshier Memorial Foundation, Inc., PO Box 111, Delmar 12054.
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