Refreshments also helped.

"I was grabbing oranges from little kids, and they got so excited," Hughes said. "I gave them highfives. Refreshments are the key to running a race. I wanted to cool down as I got closer to Boston."

After the race, Hughes "got cold really fast."

Mylar blankets were distributed to runners upon their completion.

A proctor in Holworthy Hall, Hughes "looked vigilantly" for his entryway students.

"I thought of them," Hughes said. "They made me proud. I didn't want them to see me walking."

Eric Groman '00, one of Hughes' proctees, made the trip but did not spot Hughes.

However, he did see an Elvis impersonator finish under four hours. Groman also saw runners impersonating the Blues Brothers.

Nicolle Snyder '98 also recognized Elvis, as well as a runner in a rainbow-colored wig. However, she said her main reason for coming was to see her friend Caitlin Hurley '97.

"I was so excited when I saw Caitlin," Snyder said. "She was doing so well. It looked like she was not having trouble at all."

After spotting Hurley, Snyder and Jenny Martin '97, Hurley's roommate, followed the Marathon by car for three miles. Further pursuit was halted, as Snyder had section.

Martin had watched the Marathon in past years, but yesterday was a different experience for her.

"When I saw the people in the back, it gave me a new perspective," Martin said. "I realized how hard people were working. I was amazed with the number of people who were running."