12 Gaithersburg Runners Are Competing In The Boston Marathon

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Twelve Gaithersburg runners will take part in a Boston Marathon like no other.

The Oct. 11 race is being held more than 900 days after the last Boston Marathon due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can see the list of local men and women running below. Are you on the list? Patch wants to know why you're running this year. Email colleen.martin@patch.com and tell me your story!

Men

• Michael Conroy, 67
• David Handel, 56
• Ryan Johnson, 34
• Luqi Pei, 65
• Douglas Watt, 63

Women

• Lisa Levin, 47
• Susan Lynch, 55
• Elena Makarevich, 43
• Meridith Picarelli-Khattar, 40
• Karyn Ryan, 51
• Holly Wittsack, 39
• Mimi Zaw-Pham, 41

The Boston Marathon is being run in October for the first time after being postponed and ultimately canceled in 2020 and delayed this year. Race officials said the marathon will return back to its traditional Patriots Day date beginning next year.

Runners this year will not be required to wear a mask while racing, but they will need to wear them on buses to and from the race. Masks will also be required and provided in all medical tents along the 26.2-mile route.

Runners — and everyone else — will need to wear masks indoors as part of Boston's indoor mask mandate. That includes the Boston Marathon Expo at the Hynes Convention Center in the three days leading up to the race.

Volunteers who will have direct interaction or close proximity with the runners must wear masks. Some will be provided additional personal protective equipment.

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