This marathoner closed out Monday with a medal and an engagement ring
When Catherine Klima of Milford crossed the Boston Marathon finish line on Monday, she was, understandably, exhausted. So when her boyfriend, Michael Jencks of Mendon, got down on one knee immediately after she finished, Klima almost thought she was delirious from the high temperatures and exertion.
“It was a tough day, with the heat and all,” Klima said, “so it took a second to process.”
Michael Jencks proposes to Catherine Klima.
The couple, who have been dating for a year and a half, met in the hallway at the Waters Corporation in Milford when Jencks, who works in the finance department, introduced himself to Klima, whose background is in chemistry. The two began talking, and Jencks eventually asked Klima out to lunch.
“I knew for a while that she was the one,” said Jencks, who bought an engagement ring a month ago but decided to wait until the marathon to propose. “Her running the marathon was one of the biggest things that she’s ever done—why not throw one more awesome thing into it?”
Michael Jencks and Catherine Klima.
Klima ran the marathon as part of Team MR8, a group of 100 runners that fundraise for the Martin Richard Foundation, and began training in November 2016.
In a post on her Team MR8 runner’s profile, Klima shared how excited she was to land a spot on the special team.
“Tears came to my eyes as I looked at Mike and shared the news,” she wrote of finding out that she had been invited to join Team MR8. “I couldn’t believe the overwhelming exhilaration that filled my heart.”
Klima went on to surpass her fundraising goal and raise more than $10,000 for the Martin Richard Foundation. When she crossed the finish line on Monday, Jencks was waiting for her with both of their families and friends.
Despite Klima having just completed the depleting 26.2 miles, Jencks said he was the one shaking as he pulled the ring out of his pocket.
Klima said yes, much to the excitement of their families, as well as the crowd of random spectators who began to cheer and congratulate the couple.
“We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect way to end the already incredible day,” Klima said.
The couple hopes to wed on the Cape next summer.
Michael Jencks and Catherine Klima.
