Team NOVA

At their first meeting, on July 9, 2006, the runners quickly bonded.

In the summer of 2006, an assortment of very different individuals came together to form a quirky sports team. Not one of them was a hard-core runner; some couldn't even make it through a mile, yet all were determined to train for the Boston Marathon. Fortunately, they had the guidance of veteran coach Don Megerle of Tufts University and superstar marathoner Uta Pippig. Click on the images at right to find out what motivated each person to take on the challenge, learn how they did in the race, and read personal updates from each runner.—Susan K. Lewis