“Beauty before me when I run…”
Before the Leatherman’s Loop begins, we welcome the runners, thank the volunteers, recognize special guests, and, just before the starting gun/pitch/whistle/bark, an honored guest reads the following poem (below). The last 10 years it has been read by Danny Martin, the loop’s spiritual advisor (and poem editor). Seen in this photo (#60) with Tony (63), Mike (yellow sweatshirt in larger photo), and Anton (67) finishing the 2008 Loop. Click the rest of the article to see the poem and the photo to see more.
Leatherman’s Loop Navajo/Irish Poem
Beauty before me as I run.
Beauty behind me as I run.
Beauty below me as I run.
Beauty above me as I run.
Beauty beside me as I run.
Beauty within me as I run.
I see Beauty all around.
In beauty may we walk.
In beauty may we see.
In beauty may we all be.
UPDATE – Audio of the blessing/poem from 2012:
2013 with Boston Marathon dedication: