Dedham Tales

The 130th Boston Marathon will take place on Monday, April 20th, and if you’re out on the course be sure to cheer on our own Dedham Museum archivist Nicole McAllister. Nicole is running for the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, which supports families affected by cancer by offering financial assistance and hope during difficult times. 

This will be Nicole’s second Boston run, which is one more than the 1947 winner who also had a Dedham connection. Despite being tripped up by a dog at Heartbreak Hill and running half the race with one shoelace untied, Korean Suh Yun-bok was not only victorious but also set a new course and world record of 2 hours, 25 minutes and 39 seconds. The 24-year-old was financed by American Armed Forces members serving in Korea at the time. During his training, Suh was the guest of Mr. And Mrs. Norman Paik of Boulevard Road in Dedham. In the weeks before the big race, residents frequently saw the marathoner and his two teammates running through the neighborhood near the Endicott Estate.

A reception was held at the Paik home the night of Suh’s record-setting victory, where he was honored with official town congratulations from selectman Thomas Lilly. Suh died in 2017 at the age of 94.

I will be out there as well on Monday, participating in my 16th Marathon… as a volunteer at the Mile 3 Hydration Station in Ashland. So Nicole, make sure your shoes are tied, watch out for pesky pups and know that the whole Dedham Museum community is rooting for you!