YORK, Maine — When nearly 30,000 runners took their mark in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, Monday morning for the Boston Marathon, they prepared to make the fabled 26.2-mile run to Boston.
It can be hard to stand out in a sea of sneakers, but every racer has a story.
While many marathon hopefuls from around New England dream for years of securing their bib for the race, some, like York's Stacy Bradburn, didn't really have it on their radar.
“It was never something that spoke to me," Bradburn said of running the race.
However, Bradburn finished the 128th Boston Marathon Monday with an impressive time of 4 hours, 29 minutes, and 30 seconds. It his first-ever marathon.
Before training or even thinking about running the race, he had to finish a different kind of marathon.
“When I was in my mid-20s, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, which is something I never really had heard about before," he said.
The intestinal condition required years of treatment, battling, and a lot of time at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Bradburn underwent surgery to remove parts of his intestine and colon.
“But the good thing is, they essentially cured me and changed my life to go back to normal after three to four years of battling and treatment," he said.
Once back on his feet, Bradburn was encouraged to start competing in road races.
After competing in Spartan Races and short-distance runs, he soon had his sights set on Boston.
“I just knew that was the marathon I wanted to do," he said.
Elite runners can qualify for the Boston Marathon if they post a fast enough time. But for the vast majority of runners, they need to raise money for a cause or organization.
Mass General has a few "marathon teams" and Bradburn was one of the few applicants selected to join the hospital's "Home Base" team. Home Base is a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans and their families.
“In a way, it’s an honor for me to run for them," Bradburn said.
Bradburn, who's spent his life in York County, said it was also an honor to run for those who supported him through everything: his family.
Bradburn said his wife, children, and extended family members waited for him at mile 20. He said running by them pushed him through the race and lifted his spirits during the all-important final stretch. His aunt even spent hours with him collecting donations leading up to the race. The kindness and generosity of Mainers making those donations, Bradburn said, will be something he never forgets.
Doing something difficult is always worth the effort, the father of three said, and added if you're ever thinking of running a marathon or taking on an arduous challenge you should just "go for it."