by Frank Foreman

Created on: April 22, 2008

It's one thing to just watch a marathon, but it's something else to compete in one. For a select few local area runners, the realization of running the most storied of all races became a reality Monday during the 112th running of the Boston Marathon.

Each year the strongest and most competitive runners from around the globe flock to Boston to take part in the most historic race in the world. This year was no different, as members from local counties joined over 25,000 other participants for their shot at $150,000, the largest purse in the race's history.

But for many, competing in a race of this stature is for more than just money. It's for the pride and the accomplishment of meeting such a lofty goal. For the first-time Boston Marathon runners, it's an experience they will never forget. For S. Mark Courtney, his 29th trip in a row to the finish line had a similar result to his first try back in 1980.

"I finished better than I expected, but not was well I as would have liked," Courtney said. "I didn't feel competitive (Monday)."

Courtney, 52, finished at 3:04:28, just two minutes behind the pace of his first Boston Marathon when he was a 23 year old fresh out of college. Courtney's time placed him 1,665th, not exactly the day he had anticipated. But despite the many races he has run in his lifetime, nothing compares to running Boston's historic marathon.

"I like races of all sizes, distances and competitive levels, Courtney said. "But this one is the grand-daddy of them all."

Courtney's best finish in the Boston Marathon was fifth back in 1986. That year he finished with a time of 2:31:58.

To say Courtney loves to run would be an incredible understatement. For a man who has run at least a mile a day for 10,300 consecutive days, averaging 50 miles per week for the last 28 years, while starting a business that specializes in computerized systems to time races, it's
safe to say that running consumes his life. And he wouldn't want it any other way.

"There's worse things to be addicted to in life I suppose," Courtney said.

Most competitors take two to three weeks to recover from Boston's grueling 26.2 mile race. Experienced runners like Courtney will be back to normal a lot sooner than one would think.

"I recover very quickly," Courtney said. "I'll be able to race next weekend."

While Courtney will be ready to go in about a week, the same might not be said for Conneaut Lake resident Mark Ruttenberg.

This year, Ruttenberg participated in his first Boston Marathon. Ruttenberg, 54, posted a time of 3:50:16, which was good enough for 12,065th place.

John O. Smith, 49, from Townville, completed the marathon at the 3:47:09 mark, placing him at 11,251th.

Meadville's Jamie Musick, 24, completed the event with a time of 3:32:02, placing her at 7,209 on the women's side.

The newcomers to the marathon will look to improve on their times next year, as training for the race is a year-long process. As for Courtney, there's no question where he'll be come time for the 113th running of the Boston Marathon.

"As long as my body will take me there, I have no plans on quitting," Courtney said. "I'll keep going as long as I can."

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