A bronze statue of Spencer, the official canine of the Boston Marathon, was unveiled in Ashland on Saturday.
Rich Powers, Spencer’s proprietor, stated upwards of 150 individuals got here out for the occasion.
“It was quite emotional for a lot of people, myself included,” Powers stated in a cellphone interview. “This is more than just a dog, it’s symbol of hope.”
Spencer, who died in February, was a fixture on the marathon route yearly.
In 2018, Spencer went viral in a video that confirmed him holding “Boston Strong” flags in his mouth as runners handed by within the rain.
In 2022, the Boston Athletic Association named Spencer the official canine of the Boston Marathon.
On behalf of the @BAAwe acknowledge Spencer the Dog, who has develop into an icon for Boston Marathoners yearly.
The #BostonMarathon hereby names Spencer because the Official Dog of the 126th Boston Marathon & current him together with his very personal SPENCER bib to have fun.👏🐶#Boston126 pic.twitter.com/09mEdLY1Zr
— Boston Marathon (@bostonmarathon) April 13, 2022
The bronze statue of Spencer was made by Jeff Buccacio of Buccacio Sculpture Services in Canton, in keeping with Powers.
“He did an amazing job,” stated Powers.
The statue is situated on Route 135, on the intersection of West Union Street, Frankland Road, and Olive Street.
“We raised all the funds ourselves,” Powers stated. “There was a team of three of us that worked on it — we were the ‘Spencer Statue Committee.’”
Last July, the Ashland choose board voted 3 to 2 to show down a proposal to place the statue on the Ashland Community Center, which is near the place Spencer would watch the marathon yearly.
When residents Robin and Cynthia Hicks realized of that call, they provided their property — which is situated close by — as a website for the statue, Powers stated.
“It’s an ideal spot,” Powers stated.
Emily Sweeney could be reached at [email protected]. Follow her @emilysweeney and on Instagram @emilysweeney22.
