Brian Townsend debut marathon: 2:46!

Congratulations to Marist Running Alum Brian Townsend (Class of 2012), who completed Sunday's Harrisburg Marathon in the Pennsylvania state capital in a stellar debut time of 2:46:58. Brian was 17th overall in a stacked field -- 61 runners cracked the 3-hour barrier! -- and fourth in the 20-24 age group.

Brian, living in the city now and going to grad school at Columbia, had been scheduled to run the NYC Marathon last week. But alas, that did not work out. So he opted for this backup-plan marathon, and made the most of it.

We heard many choruses of "never again" and "one and done" from afar after the race. But who among us has not felt that way after a 26.2-mile flogging? We are very proud of Brian for stepping up to the marathon distance so quickly and so adeptly.