Golden retriever who supported Boston Marathon runners honored with statue

Jesse Collings, The MetroWest Daily News
·4 min read
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ASHLAND — Spencer, a golden retriever who inspired thousands of Boston Marathon runners as they made their way down West Union Street (Route 135) in the early stages of the race, will be immortalized this weekend with a statue near his regular viewing spot.

The bronze statue of Spencer will be unveiled Saturday at 11 Frankland Road. The statue was crowdfunded on GoFundMe, with nearly $40,000 raised for its construction.

Spencer died in February 2023 at age 13 years 6 months.

"When he first passed away, there was a huge outcry of support for a statue being placed on the route, and we thought that would be great, but statues are not free," said Rich Powers, a Holliston resident who was Spencer's owner. "A couple of volunteers from the Boston Marathon came forward to put together a committee to help raise the funds."

Spencer, a golden retriever from Holliston who inspired Boston Marathon runners as they came down Route 135 in Ashland, is shown during the 2018 Marathon, which featured heavy rain. A statue is being dedicated to Spencer, who died in February 2023 at age 13.
Spencer, a golden retriever from Holliston who inspired Boston Marathon runners as they came down Route 135 in Ashland, is shown during the 2018 Marathon, which featured heavy rain. A statue is being dedicated to Spencer, who died in February 2023 at age 13.

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The sculpture was completed by Canton sculptor Buccacio Sculpture Services. It features the golden retriever in his signature stance, holding a dual-ended flag in his mouth and facing Marathon runners as they pass by.

Image of 'Boston Strong' flag boosted Spencer's popularity

Powers said Spencer, a trained therapy dog that typically visited schools, hospitals and other buildings during the week, began gaining more attention following the Marathon bombings in 2013 when he began holding a "Boston Strong" flag. And he went viral during the Marathon's 2018 edition, when he braved heavy rain to encourage runners navigating the treacherous weather.

"He was a therapy dog, and after the bombing we stood with a Boston Strong flag, and the runners seemed to really like seeing him," Powers said. "He loved to hold things in his mouth, and he was a special, special dog. He would just see the energy people have and be able to reverberate that energy back at the runners.

Sculptor Jeff Buccacio, left, and his wife, Nina, pose with the sculpture of Spencer, a therapy dog from Holliston that became famous for supporting runners on the Boston Marathon route. The sculpture is being installed at 11 Frankland Road in Ashland, which is near where Spencer, who died in 2023, used to stand.
Sculptor Jeff Buccacio, left, and his wife, Nina, pose with the sculpture of Spencer, a therapy dog from Holliston that became famous for supporting runners on the Boston Marathon route. The sculpture is being installed at 11 Frankland Road in Ashland, which is near where Spencer, who died in 2023, used to stand.

"Year after year, the runners would start to look for him on the route."

Spencer became an icon, with the Boston Athletic Association recognizing him in 2022 as the official dog of the 126th Boston Marathon.

"He was a reminder to runners that they could beat the odds; in 2022, he beat cancer and was still able to be out on the route," Powers said. "On several occasions, we thought he wasn't going to be with us, and he became a symbol of hope for runners that you can do more than you think you can."

New golden retriever will take Spencer's spot this April 15

Spencer's close compatriot, Penny, died just seven days after Spencer last year. But a new golden retriever, "Jimmy," will quite literally carry the flag for Spencer during this year's Marathon on April 15.

The Boston Marathon route contains several statues, including one of the late running duo Dick and Rick Hoyt in Hopkinton; the famous "starter" statue at the Hopkinton starting line; and of Marathon legend Johnny Kelley in Newton.

When looking for a location for Spencer's statue, Powers said the town of Ashland did not want to put it on public property. But Robin and Cynthia Hicks, who live at 11 Frankland Road, dedicated a piece of their property to provide space for the statue, which the public is invited to visit.

"The Hicks family donated the space and we are very thankful for their support," Powers said.

Robin Hicks said he and his wife happened to be watching an Ashland Select Board meeting when the issue of putting the statue on public property was raised, which led to him getting in contact with Powers.

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"We got in touch with Rich Powers and told him that we could use the space at the end of our driveway, which is right at the intersection of Frankland, Olive Street and West Union Street," Hicks said.

Hicks said he saw Spencer holding his flag each year during the Marathon, and was happy to volunteer the space.

"I patted him every year, he was such a good dog," he said. "I tried to get my three dogs to behave like him but they never could. I hope that people see the statue and it makes them think about doing something good for their community."

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Boston Marathon's new landmark: a sculpture of support dog in Ashland