Braving the Elements: Triple Victor Team Doctor Jeff Krebs’ Remarkable Journey Through the Challenging 2023 Boston Marathon

The 2023 Boston Marathon, held on the third Monday of April, marked the tenth anniversary of the tragic bombings. Over 30,000 athletes participated in the prestigious race, which began in Hopkinton and concluded at Copley Square in downtown Boston. Throughout the race, runners faced a myriad of challenges, including cooler-than-average temperatures, rain that varied from a mild drizzle to a heavy downpour, and strong winds that intensified as the day progressed.

The race saw incredible performances from the pro fields, wheelchair divisions, and age group athletes. One such age-grouper was Triple Victor Team Doctor Jeff Krebs, who finished the race in a time of 3:19:04 and secured 75th place in his age division of 60-64.

Starting his race with thousands of fellow runners on East Main Street in Hopkinton, Jeff embarked on the initial downhill miles that led him through Hopkinton and Ashland. Despite the quad-straining downhill run on the slick wet roads, he managed to maintain a steady pace. However, Jeff noted, “Due to the rains and very slick roads, the first 4 miles were a lot slower than what is typical for the Boston marathon. In the past, I have been able to break free and hit my stride at about mile 1.5. The crowds were so dense and did not break up until after 4 miles, so my first 4 miles were a lot slower than I anticipated.” While these downhill miles might have given some runners an initial energy boost, they were taxing on the legs and foreshadowed the challenges ahead. Amidst the dense crowds, Jeff was compelled to keep a conservative pace of 7.5 minutes per mile throughout this section.

From Ashland, Jeff continued through the hills of Farmington and Natick. Jeff enjoyed the spectator-lined streets and cheering crowds as he navigated the rolling hills. This stretch to the halfway point required Jeff to balance his energy on the hills while maintaining his strong pace of a sub-7 minute mile pace.

As Jeff reached the halfway point of the marathon, he encountered the famous Wellesley College “Scream Tunnel.” The thunderous cheers from the students provided a much-needed surge of motivation for him. However, this enthusiasm would be tested as a light drizzle turned into a downpour while he entered the formidable Newton Hills. This grueling section comprised four steep inclines that pushed athletes to their breaking point, culminating in the notorious Heartbreak Hill with its 3.3% grade and over half a mile span. Jeff shared his experience in these conditions, saying, “The roads were quite slick, and my shoes were not gripping well. Unfortunately, I had to slow down in order not to slip. My first goal at this point was to stay upright.” Despite these challenges, Jeff maintained an overall pace of 7:33 minutes per mile, crossing the 35k mark with a time of 2:44:43.

After overcoming Heartbreak Hill, Jeff found some relief in the downhill sections leading into Boston College and the city of Brookline. Despite the wear and tear on his legs, which were now screaming on downhills, he persevered through the final miles, passing iconic landmarks such as Fenway Park and Kenmore Square.

During the final stretch, Jeff turned right onto Hereford Street and then left onto Boylston Street, with the finish line in sight in front of the Boston Public Library. Jeff had initially aimed for a 3:15:00 finish, but as he shared, “Due to the weather, I had to be a bit more cautious. I did the best I could for the day, and for that, I am satisfied.” Ultimately, his perseverance and determination led him to cross the finish line with a time of 3:19:04. This impressive performance earned Jeff 75th place among over 1000 men in the 60-64 age group.

Meanwhile, in the pro fields, the men’s race saw pre-race favorite Eliud Kipchoge encouraging the other runners to “get together” as the rain began to fall. However, Kipchoge eventually faded, and the race came down to a battle between Evans Chebet, Gabriel Geay, Benson Kipruto, and Albert Korir. Chebet made a decisive move near Kenmore Square and successfully defended his Boston Marathon title, finishing in 2:05:54. Geay secured second place, and Kipruto took third.

A deep pack of competitors remained together in the women’s race until the Newton Hills. The final four runners were Lonah Saltpeter, Hellen Obiri, Amane Beriso, and Ababel Yeshaneh. Obiri made her move around mile 25 and crossed the finish line victorious with a time of 2:21:38. Beriso finished second, and Saltpeter claimed third place.

The wheelchair divisions showcased incredible athletic performances. Switzerland’s Marcel Hug dominated the men’s division, finishing in 1:17:06 and setting a new course record. This remarkable achievement marked Hug’s sixth victory in Boston and the fourth time he lowered the course record. In the women’s wheelchair division, Susannah Scaroni from the United States claimed the title with a time of 1:41:45. Scaroni overcame technical difficulties with her chair, stopping to tighten her right wheel during the race.

The 2023 Boston Marathon was a testament to the runners’ resilience. As athletes from around the world tackled the challenging course amidst the difficult weather conditions, their perseverance, and spirit marked this year’s marathon as an unforgettable event.