"Toughest race of my life," says the veteran runner
HE MADE IT. Brian Walsh is able to flash a smile after crossing the finish at the Boston Marathon last Monday (APril 20). --- Photo by Amy Walsh
BOSTON, Mass. - Western New England College men and women's cross-country coach Brian Walsh has competed in a lot of big races during his career, but none more tougher than the Boston Marathon on Monday (April 20).
Making his first appearance in the internationally-known event, the 34-year-old Walsh covered the 26.2-mile course in 3 hours, 1 second.
He finished 1,343rd overall in the field of 22,849 finishers.
"It was the toughest race of my life," said the veteran runner. "I didn't realize how hard it was, it ate me up."
Although it was cool out (mid-to-upper 40s), all the competitors ran into a strong head wind (10-20 mph) the entire way and that cost Walsh a chance to finish under three hours.
"I wasn't feeling great around 14 miles and that's when I hit my first wall. The hills killed me and I lost my pace for about two miles," he stated.
The Southwick, Massachusetts native re-gained his form and was able to get back on pace for the last five miles.
This was only the second marathon that Walsh has competed in - last year he participated in the Hyannis Marathon on Cape Cod.
Western New England College assistant women's cross-country coach Norm Fuller also ran the Marathon and finished in 3 hours, 18 minutes, 3 seconds.
Two members of the College's men's soccer team ran the race in an unofficial capacity.
Junior goalkeeper Kyle Bak (Cumberland, RI) ran the course in 3 hours, 29 minutes while sophomore defender John Stather (Foxborough, MA) crossed the finish line in 3 hours, 33 minutes.