Finishing brutal Boston Marathon a huge achievement for SWFL runners
Craig Handel
For local Boston Marathon runners, it wasn’t so much about time but about crossing the line.
It was about persevering through driving rain, a 25 mph headwind and temperatures in the 30s that provide to be a huge challenge for even the elite runners.
Fort Myers’ Michael McHugh, who battled hamstring issues, heard of a lot of cases of hypothermia. A Boston Globe report said 2,500 of the runners needed medical treatment.
“I was shaking uncontrollably when I finished,” he said. “But it’s a test. And finishing is an accomplishment.”
About 2,500 Boston Marathon runners receive medical treatment - The Boston Globe
Naples’ Mario Trance had a time of 5:23.38. Didn’t matter. Finishing meant he earned a Six Star Finisher Medal.
The Abbott World Marathon Majors honors non-elite runners who successfully complete all six of the AbbottWMM races in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City.
Maria Bendeck, who earned her six-star finisher medal in the Tokyo Marathon, clocked in a time of 6:15:37. For her, the highlight was returning to Boston to run for Michaels Miracle, a charity that supports disabled individuals and their families.
Here are times of the local finishers:
Bonita Springs: Katie Avery 3:38:12; Robert Defrancesco 4:05:11; Daniel Kelly 4:27:12
Cape Coral: Ody Fuentes 4:32:58; Al Rich 4:24:24; Lindsay Palmer 4:24:24; Kathryn Repperger 3:17:13
Estero: Jennifer Webber 3:33:55
Fort Myers: Tania Canterbury 3:36:54; Cindy Matthes-Loy 4:11:31; Manuela Lyons 3:41:08; Florence Crawford 3:51:26; Sherry Labree 3:50:08; Cara Chiappetta 3:27:15; Michael McHugh 3:29:27; Bob Lofgren 3:27:58; Nancy Earle 4:18:11; Richard Olitsky 5:49:01; Trisha Tryka 5:58:49
Naples: Mario Trance 5:23:38; Maria Bendeck 6:15:37; Edward Blankenship 3:25:06; Pamela Cumming 4:49:56; Emily Lobaugh 3:28:03; Amber Crowley 4:20:53; Wendy Rumford 4:25:56; Pamela Tanner 3:34:25; Emily Casto 3:58:14; Don Huprich 5:09:18; Ruben Contreras 4:03:05; Jerry Pianto 3:03:54; Marion Conklin 3:56:53