During Dr. Phil Chandler's (Denzel Washington) practice run for the Boston Marathon, he is filmed on location at many spots along actual marathon route, including the starting line in Hopkinton MA, Heartbreak Hill in Newton MA and at the finish line in Copley Square, Boston MA. A reference is made to the actual running in April; the Boston Marathon is traditionally run on the Massachusetts state holiday of Patriots' Day, which is celebrated on the third Monday of April.
Dr. Caldwell mentions that he played football in college. Mark Harmon was a starting quarterback for UCLA.
The title is from the Christian wedding ceremony: ...to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health for as long as we both shall live.
A reference is made to the name Rod McKuen. McKuen was a prolific poet and songwriter in the 1960s and 1970s, writing about love, nature and spirituality.