Belmont Marathoners Ready For Monday's BAA Race

If you're a runner and would like some pointers on racing the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Copley Square on Monday, you probably couldn't find a better guide then Payson Road's Becca Pizzi Neill.

Just in her early-30s, the day care provider will be toeing the starting line with other Belmont runners in the 117th Boston Marathon for the 14th time, her 33rd marathon overall.

"I run for those who can't. I run because I can," said Neill.

Wearing 13790, Neill will be seeking to improve on last year's time of 3:47.27. As for those who have always wanted to run a marathon, the best tip Neill gives to pre-marathoners is to "(l)isten to your body, it's your best coach. Be good to your body and it will respond."

"I am trying to run a marathon in every state, knocking them off the map one by one!" she said, with 35 states remaining on her list. 

Belmont will have quite a number of top-ranked runners taking to the roads of eastern Massachusetts Monday led by Roger Donaghy who broke two-and-a-half hours (2:28:56) in 2011 to finish in 64th place. The BAA member Donaghy has shown excellent form recently, including winning the historic Around Cape Ann 25K in just over an hour-and-a-half (1:30.35), beating the second place finisher by five-and-a-half minutes. 

Ryan McCalmon (who happens to be an accomplished musician) will be running with his club colleague Donaghy. In February he finished the New Bedford Half Marathon in 34th place with a 1:11.35.

Hammond Road's Robert Cipriano will be one of the favorites in the 50-54 age division, finishing second last year (2:48.15) and fourth place in 2011.

Rachid Belhocine