Thursday, April 19, 2001

A marathon is a long way to run for any runner.

Bill Romito has made that long run   �   103 times.

Romito completed his 103rd marathon Monday when he finished the 105th annual Boston Marathon in 2 hours, 54 minutes and 50 seconds.

Romito's accomplishment is difficult to fully grasp. One marathon is a lifetime for many runners. The thought of running 26.2 miles 103 times . . .

And even more remarkable, Romito's average time for those 103 marathons is 2:59:40   �   less than the magical 3-hour mark.

Romito knows what he has done is special. But he doesn't say that in an arrogant tone. He knows he's fortunate to have the physical and mental ability to run at such a high level.

"It's a privilege to be able to do it," said Romito, who lives in Springfield and will be moving to Belchertown in a few weeks. "I know people who can't do this. I enjoy doing this."

Romito's first marathon was the Maine Coast Marathon in Kennebunkport, Maine, in 1984. Since then he has run marathons in Dallas, Houston, Orlando, Fla., San Diego and Nova Scotia, not to mention throughout New England. He has run the Boston Marathon and the Clarence DeMar Marathon in Keene, N.H., 15 consecutive years. Last year he ran 13 marathons, including the Ocean State Marathon in Rhode Island in November for No. 100.

"It's not like you peak for every one. If you can run one every other week, you don't have to do any long runs," Romito said with a laugh.

"When you focus on Boston in the spring, that knocks you out for a month or two. If you run conservatively, you can run what you otherwise wouldn't be capable of."

Romito's marathon binge spans 17 years, and in the stretch he has been fortunate to stay away from major injuries.

"Nothing has kept me out for more than a few weeks," the 47-year-old said. "I've been very consistent with my running. I don't take time off, then come back. It's something I do every day. I've gotten a little slower, but I haven't had a big problem with the injuries. Actually, my injuries have usually been non-running related."

Romito's plans to cut back on marathons, but he is interested in triathlons. Romito will continue to run Boston and Clarence DeMar. He may run the Holyoke Marathon May 6.

Romito was shooting for a 2:50 at Boston Monday. He was on pace the first part of the race, but the downhills slowed him over the next 11 miles before he received a lift at mile No. 24.

"I started out at an ambitious pace," Romito said. "I was at 1:23:12 at the halfway point. But the downhills chewed me up. On the uphills I had the power. But the downhills slowed me down.

"I ran for Griffin's Friends," Romito said of the charity organization. "They were at the 24th mile. I had my Griffin's Friends T-shirt on. There was a lot of support from the crowd. At mile 24 you are just about completely spent. To see the families and kids   �   that's a big boost. It helps you get through it."

Romito raised more than $1,000 for Griffin's Friends, and that figure was matched by his employer (Massachusetts Mutual).

Union News