Local runner preparing for Boston Marathon
ZANESVILLE, Ohio – In an incredibly short amount of time, a local long-distance runner has gone from being a beginner to participating in the pinnacle of the sport.
Katie McNeil of Zanesville says that she has loved running her whole life, but only started running marathons two years ago. Her first attempt was in the Columbus Marathon in October of 2015. She ran the 26.2-mile race in just 3:34:06, which was good enough to qualify her for the country’s most iconic race, the Boston Marathon.
Balancing a busy life, she only is able to train long distance on Sundays. Her hectic schedule includes working two jobs and teaching classes at the Muskingum Rec Center. Despite that, McNeil will be the only Zanesville resident among the 30,000-plus who compete in Boston.
The 121st Boston Marathon is April 17. McNeil said that she’ll have family members and friends there supporting her in her first trip to run in Beantown.
