BOSTON, Mass. — Connor Blackford crossed one of the six World Marathon Majors off the list Monday morning.
The 19-year-old Maryville native conquered the 129th edition of the Boston Marathon. Blackford made the 26.2 mile trek from Hopkinton to Boylston Street in Boston in 2:46:04, good for an average pace of 6:20 per mile.
"Having the energy of the city and everyone there was huge," Blackford said. "It was fun to let it rip those last few miles."
He started fast, running the first 5,000 meters in 18:40 – a 6:01 per mile pace.
"I was trying to hold back, to be completely honest, but was just getting passed left and right so I was like 'I'll roll with the crew and see where it goes.'"
"Much faster than I was anticipating."
Blackford continued at a stable clip throughout, hitting his slowest time in the 21st mile when the rate dropped to 6:52.
"(Heartbreak Hill) is all it's cracked up to be," Blackford said. "It was a beast. But once you crest Heartbreak, it's pretty much downhill or flat the rest of the way."
As he climbed to miles 22 and beyond, he shifted into another gear and ran the final 3.2 miles at a 6:13 pace.
Blackford placed 1,453 among the estimated 30,000 to cross the finish line at Boston in just his second marathon ever, and it likely won't be his last.
"Today gives me a whole lot of motivation to do a few more."
