On Monday April 21, 2025 (Patriot’s Day) I successfully ran the Boston Marathon for the first time, finishing in 3:40:06. LSRC members and other runners from Seattle had excellent days. My friends Max and Adam (pictured) are sub-elites in their respective age groups.

Boston is the oldest continuous marathon in the world, and the most famous. It was the first of the seven Abbott Majors, and a grail / Top Gun race: top 10% performance for age group required for entry.

Five years ago I could not run 26.2 feet, never mind 26.2 miles. I vowed a return to athleticism. 16 months later I finished my first HM (Seattle Half) with a time of 1:50. In 2024 I qualified for Boston, with a ten-minute margin. My application was accepted based on merit and a tough cutoff time.

I consider this the pinnacle of my athletic abilities across my entire lifetime. Qualifying for Boston was a multi-year, thousand-hour, 5,400+ training-miles endeavor since 2021.

Reach far. If your reach exceeds your grasp as mine did the previous two years, try again. In 2024 I qualified. In 2025, here I am: a mid-pack graduate from running’s most prestigious worldwide event. Be your best you, then set new goals. Never declare victory. What's next? I’ll start another cycle for my next milestone — Chicago in October, my second Abbott Major. Good luck embracing your jam!

by Daniel Bannon