Boston Marathon Elite Runners Visit Hopkinton School

HOPKINTON (CBS) - For some of the Boston Marathon's elite runners, an event Thursday morning at a Hopkinton school has become as much of a pre-race ritual as stretching.

The 17 runners visited the Elmwood Elementary School in Hopkinton and got the rock star treatment.

Around 600 students went wild for the visiting Kenyans for an annual event that might be as anticipated as the town's starting line ceremony.

WBZ-TV's Sera Congi reports.

But, it's not just about the party. The students learn about the Kenyan culture leading up to the marathon.

And for these third graders, meeting the marathoners brings their lessons to life.

"I think it's important to expose these kids from Hopkinton to a completely foreign culture," said Tom Keane, a teacher.

It's special for the runners too.

"It makes me feel like it's quite important to come here and to get to share some of my experience with those children who are our next generation," said Catherine Ndereba.

Watch The Boston Marathon live on CBSBoston.com & WBZ-TV on April 18.