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Pace Setter : May 2024
Local Runners Share Their Thoughts On The Boston Marathon 2024
By Mark Mindel
I always like to start watching the Boston Marathon at Natick, at the 10 mile mark. Runners have finally settled into a groove and aren’t yet feeling the effects of the distance, the hills, or the weather (in this case a stubborn sun that refused to hide behind clouds!).
I decided to focus on four area runners for this article. I know several other local runners ran; but I have a close connection with these four. My son Scott and Pacesetter editor Thomas O’Grady ran the 2013 Boston Marathon together, the year of the bomb. They were both then competing with Willow Street and the team did very well that year.
Adam Quinn was a teammate of Scott’s at Shenendehowa, graduating in 2007 and currently resides in Stowe, VT. Scott has run into him at CIM and several New England races.
Wei Ma from Clifton Park is one of my runners with the Fleet Feet Vikings and his son Jerry runs cross country at Shen.
Here, in their own words, are their 2024 Boston stories.
SCOTT MINDEL 2:27:38/ 5:38 pace
Photo courtesy of Mark Mindel
I went out at the pace I wanted and settled in going back and forth with a couple different groups of people. Sam Morse passed me a little after 10k I think, and I kept relatively close to him for a couple of miles before he completely got away from me. He ran a negative split and was the first non-elite finisher. Around 10 miles I saw my family and it brought a smile to my face, but I wasn't feeling particularly good then. When I ran my pr in 2013 I felt bad thru 10 miles too, so I shrugged it off and felt solid thru Wellesley, going through the half in 71:33 (lots of energy in the scream tunnel!) and down the hill heading towards Newton.
I hit the Newton Hills and Firehouse and didn't feel too bad, my pace slowed a little but nothing out of the ordinary in that section. I was still feeling pretty good when Sam Fazioli went by me around mile 18. I started closing the gap to him by 30k, but he put me away for good the last uphill before heartbreak. He also ran a negative split, running 223 and was 3rd non-elite.
I got up and down heartbreak feeling strong and ran a decent mile 22 and 23. However, I started really tightening up and started slowing down. I passed my friend Rachel Hyland who ended up 3rd American woman but not as fast or as easily as I had been anticipating. Within the next mile she passed me back and I tried keeping her close hoping to outkick her, but it wasn't meant to be. By the time I got to Boylston Street I was totally bonked. Another woman and several men passed me, and I crossed the finish line in 68th place (82nd overall) in a time of 2:27:38.
I am happy with how I ran most of the race but disappointed I gave a couple minutes back the last 2 miles. In hindsight, I should have adjusted my pace, it wasn't overly hot, but hotter than I had been anticipating. In 2012 I knew it was going to be super-hot and adjusted my pace accordingly (I actually ended up running 20 seconds faster that year pre super shoes and finishing in 86 degree weather). If I had run a minute slower the first half, I think I would have broken 2:26, which was probably my ceiling that day.
Editor’s note ~ Scott, Shen 2004 and Cincinnati, 2009, has completed 20 marathons with his two best times at Boston: 2:22:25 in 2013 and 2:22:27 in 2017.
Photo courtesy of Mark Mindel
ADAM QUINN 2:31:00/ 5:46 pace
Photo courtesy of Mark Mindel
This was my first Boston.
I've watched the Boston Marathon numerous times both in person and on TV, but up until this year have never run it myself. I have to say - it absolutely lived up to the hype. Everything from the ease of the packet picket, to getting to the start, to all the volunteers, spectators and security, everything was seamless and unbelievably well organized. It was amazing to see the waves of all the highly qualified athletes walking up to the start with the buzz of excitement of what lay ahead. The race itself seemed more like a party - people lined both sides of the course the entire 26.2-mile stretch, screaming at the top of their lungs for hours cheering on mostly complete strangers. While I did not have my best day, it was certainly the most fun I have had in a marathon - or any race for that matter. The Boston experience is certainly unique in the racing world, but one I would absolutely love to experience again and again!
Editor’s note ~ Adam who graduated from Binghamton in 2012 has finished 3 dedicated marathons (CIM, Grandma’s, and Boston) as well as 3 marathons in Ironman competition. His PR is 2:27:23 at CIM in 2022.
Photo courtesy of Mark Mindel
THOMAS O’GRADY 2:39:09/ 6:05 pace
Photo courtesy of Thomas O'Grady
Going into Boston this year I was a little unsure of what to expect. I had bronchitis in late January and early February and that impacted my training for several weeks. I could tell I was in good shape before the race, but I didn't have too much to "show for it" in terms of tune up race performances. A couple of longer workouts indicated I was likely in better shape then when I ran Boston in 2023 so my goal was to run 2:35 or faster.
Going into the race I saw that the temperatures were forecasted to be a little on the warm side. Although I considered adjusting my game plan, I ultimately decided to just go for my initial goal. It worked out well (I hit the halfway point in 1:17:35) until it didn't. By halfway the temperature and sun were already bothering me and I could tell it wasn't going to be a fun second half. My goal through the Newton hills and Heartbreak Hill was to slow down as little as possible and then try to rebound during the last 4-5 miles. This sort of worked and I managed a 2:39:09.
All in all, despite the weather, it was a good day as this was my 10th Boston Marathon finish. There isn't anything quite like the Boston Marathon and even on a less than ideal day there is nothing like making that last right on Hereford and left on Boylston to finish. My son, Conor, is in seventh grade and started competing for the high school team. He was excited that I was running and that it was my 10th Boston. It's really made me think about the bigger picture and wanting to keep it up to be a good role model for my children in the years to come.
Editor’s note ~ Tom, a Colonie (2003) , RPI (2007) graduate, has completed an amazing 31 marathons, including 10 Boston’s! His two best marathons were Boston, 2:28:39 and Philadelphia, 2:28:27 both in 2014.
Photo courtesy of Thomas O'Grady
WEI MA 3:10:03/ 7:15 pace
Photo courtesy of Mark Mindel
Nothing is like the Boston Marathon weekend. It honors a tradition of excellence and sportsmanship. I’ve been cultivating my little tradition: Expo Saturday and Celebrity runners Meet & Greet; Shakeout Sunday and Fenway Park game; Go Time Monday and post-race party; Medal Engraving Tuesday and recovery run/walk. What a weekend!
Since I started my running journey 4 years ago, the Boston Marathon has always been my favorite race as a season opener. The 2024 race marked my 3rd Boston in a row and 13th marathon of all time. The Boston Marathon is unique with its unpredictable weather. The 2024 race is no exception. The sunny and hot day was a real challenge. At some point of the race before the Newton hills, I realized this was going to be a tough day. With “go by effort” strategy, I powered through the heartbreak hills and set my steps on the final stretch - Boylston street, surreal yet real, 634 feet to the finish. The electric atmosphere pushed me to the end. It still gave me chills every time!
I love the Boston Marathon; I really mean the whole weekend. It reminds me of the power of resilience, the beauty of diversity, and the strength of the human spirit. I can’t wait to come back in 2025!
PS; my Boston and Delaware time are identical: 03:10:03. What are the odds!?
Editor’s note~ Wei ran the Delaware Marathon 5 days after Boston (with better weather) and recorded identical times! Last fall he ran the triple crown of marathons with a 2:55:40 PR at Berlin in September; 2:57 at Hartford in October; and a 2:59 in Philly in November! All under 3 hours! Wei attended high school and college in Northern China and lives locally now.
Photo courtesy of Wei Ma
Congratulations to these four runners and ALL the runners who competed in a tough Boston 2024!
Mark Mindel is a long-time runner, coach and track official. He won the Montreal Marathon in 1979 and he founded the Schenectady Stockade-athon, winning three of the first four and running the first 43 consecutively. Mark was recently inducted into the Greater Capital Region Track HOF and is currently a Fleet Feet Vikings Marathon Coach.
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