Xiamen Leader: 'Hopkinton is Like Home'

Showing stamina, perseverance and dedication to equal the athletes who set out from the every Patriots Day, the 26.2 Foundation, through the person of Tim Kilduff, .

It is not so far as it seems.

"People here are as warm and friendly as in Xiamen," Wei Gang, a principal in the Xiamen delegation, said at a dinner in his and his colleagues' honor at the Marathon restaurant last night.

Like Hopkinton in spirit if not size, Xiamen, a south coastal city of 3.5 million, holds a famous, international marathon every year.

Wei and a Xiamen delegation , marathon legend Bill Rodgers, and touring Hopkinton's marathon touchstones.

In a word, connecting.

As momentous, productive and enjoyable as the meetings turned out to be, the 26.2 Foundation's Tom Neese, who hosted last night's dinner, saw more.

"The warmth of the human spirit crosses miles," he said. "It crosses boundaries, crosses any obstacles that are placed in our way."

With State House proclamations, gifts of , lively conversation among Hopkinton friends from all walks of life, and a promise from U.S. Rep. James McGovern - "All of us are willing to work together to make sure our friendship grows" - the Xiamen delegation, though they listened through an interpreter, understood.

"Coming to Hopkinton is like coming home," Wei Gang told the crowd in thanks. 

In an interview, Town Manager Norman Khumalo said what really drives connections, international or otherwise, is people.

Khumalo, originally from Zimbabwe, said how welcomed he has felt in town.

"The thing that stands out about Hopkinton people is that they care about their town," he said. "They care about their town, and about making it better."

Earlier in the day, Khumalo said, he got the conversation going with the Chinese delegation by telling them how true Hopkinton's motto is. 

"I told them, 'It all starts here,'" he said.