Just two months out from the 127th running of the Boston Marathon, the race’s official dog, Spencer, died after multiple bouts of cancer February 17, according to WCVB in Boston.
For nine years, the 13-year-old pup was a staple on the marathon course, near mile 3, holding a Boston Strong flag. And last April, the Boston Athletic Association (BAA), named Spencer the official dog of the famed race. In a ceremony he received his own (coveted) Boston Marathon bib and a goodie bag of treats.
“He was literally like an angel on Earth,” Rich Powers, one of Spencer’s owners, told WCVB. “There was light and energy that would just come out of him…He just inspired so many people.”
More From Runner's World
In 2020, doctors found a removed a benign tumor. Then, in December 2021, Spencer was diagnosed with a terminal splenic sarcoma, which led to the removal of the tumor and his spleen. In January, Rich and Dorrey Powers told WCVB that there was a mass in Spencer’s liver and treatments weren’t working.
Last month, Spencer was honored with a portrait by Pittsburgh-based artist Tom Mosser. Runner’s World previously reported that the occasion was bittersweet: “Spencer is not likely to make it to the 127th running of the Boston Marathon.”
According to WCVB, the BAA plans to display the portrait, which hangs in the Powerses home, ahead of this year’s race and will sell prints to raise money for the Morris Animal Foundation Golden Retriever Lifetime Study.
The Boston Marathon and the BAA posted on Instagram a series of photos of Spencer with the caption: “We'll miss you, and are proud to call you a friend and forever the Official Dog of the Boston Marathon.”
According to news outlets, the BAA said in a statement: “We at the B.A.A. are saddened to learn of the passing of one of our dearest and most loyal Boston Marathon supporters, Spencer. Spencer annually encouraged participants in Ashland, embodying the unwavering spirit of Boston’s athletes as he showed up year after year regardless of the weather conditions. We extend our condolences to the Powers family, sister Penny, and his many friends and admirers around the world.”
Heather is the former food and nutrition editor for Runner’s World, the author of The Runner’s World Vegetarian Cookbook, and a seven-time marathoner with a best of 3:31—but she is most proud of her 1:32 half, 19:44 5K, and 5:33 mile. Her work has been published in The Boston Globe, Popular Mechanics, The Wall Street Journal Buy Side, Cooking Light, CNN, Glamour, The Associated Press, and Livestrong.com.
