With more than two decades covering high school track and cross-country, yours truly has been to his share of meets. In any given year, particularly the last decade, I’d estimate an average of 60-70 meets per year. Excluding our countless dedicated coaches and parents out there, I used to think there was no one more supportive, no one more fanatical, no one more crazier than me when it came to high school running.
Then, a few years back in 2014 or 2015 at a cross-country meet at the Wrentham Developmental Center, I met my match. His name, of course, is Mike Mahon. For nearly four decades, the Keefe Tech alum has been a regular fixture each and every year on the x-c trails, cheering on our athletes and keeping scribes like me up-to-date on all our top runners and teams.
Mike has averaged an incredible 50 cross-country meets a season the last 39 years. For most of these meets, his primary mode of transportation has been his bicycle. It doesn’t matter where it is, if it’s a meet he wants to attend, Mike will get there. I remember seeing Mike at the Big Wave Invitational in 2017 at Apponequet Regional. I asked him how he got there. Of course, despite being more tham an hour away from his apartment in Framingham, it was by his bike. Not only that, to ensure he didn’t miss the beginning of the early-morning meet, he slept overnight in the woods nearby. That’s dedication. That’s Mike Mahon.
On Tuesday afternoon, Mike attended his 2,000th career meet. An amazing accomplishment to our state’s most dedicated fan. Mike was able to celebrate his milestone where it all started as he watched host Keefe Tech, his alma mater, take on Assabet Valley in a league competition.
Congratulations, Mike, on your incredible achievement. Well done! Next up, No. 3,000!
One Response
Mike is such a wonderful guy!! Thank you for all that you do and congratulations!!!