NASHUA – A runner for the past 33 years, Nathan Burns, 46, of Nashua, crossed the finish line of the Boston Marathon for the fourth time on April 15.
He completed the race with a time of 3:14:52.
Because he was not running for a particular charity, Burns has had to qualify for each Boston Marathon. According to the Boston Athletic Association, he needed a time of 3:20:00 to qualify for this year’s race.
“I would typically say that the most challenging part of the course is the Newton Hills, but this year, it was the warm temps that affected me the most,” said Burns. “The best part of the course is the spectators and their energy. There is nothing like the experience of running Boston and having the whole community cheering you on.”
In terms of preparation, Burns said he ran six days a week, averaging up to 70 miles.
Burns said his passion for running came from his father, who was also a competitive runner.
“I loved seeing him race and thought it would be a fun thing to do,” said Burns. “I joined the cross country and track teams at Nashua High in seventh grade and never looked back. I enjoy the mental aspect of challenging yourself to be better and to stay resilient when things get tough.”
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