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Croton Runner Set For An Especially Meaningful Boston Marathon

CROTON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. -- Croton-on-Hudson resident John Reumann will be returning to Boston to run the annual Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, after his first time as a participant -- last year -- was an unforgettable experience in many ways.

John Reumann is running his second straight Boston Marathon.

John Reumann is running his second straight Boston Marathon.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of John Reumann

Reumann was injured leading up to Boston and didn't have enough time to train. He still finished the race and was with his family at The Shops at Prudential Center when the bombing occurred.

"I heard this big rumbling," Reumann said. "It was clear things weren't good. We managed to pay for our meal and we had to evacuate the building. It was a very scary event for my kids."

That night, Reumann vowed to his kids they would be back next year.

Reumann, who has been a runner his whole life, started running marathons when he joined the Taconic Runners, a Yorktown-based running club.

"I had always promised my wife that I would never run a marathon," Reumann said.

Reumann said he joined Taconic Runners because he wanted to run with others.

"Too much time is spent on your legs, it's always pleasant to have people to talk to," Reumann said. "These people understand what it's like to want to make a certain time when you run and what races are coming up. That's usually not much interest to normal people."

Training for the Boston Marathon was pretty grueling, said Reumann, who spent four months training. He was running around 60 miles a week.

"It takes a lot of energy out of you," Reumann said. "You run after work in the dark with reflecting gear on. On Saturdays, I get up a 6 a.m. and try to squeeze in a run. On Sundays, I run after church."

With the brutal winter weather, Reumann was forced to run on a treadmill. 

"It's grueling," Reumann said. "But toward the end it gets easier. My goal is to run Boston and I keep that in mind."

"I'm excited," Reumann said. "We'll keep running, we can't be stopped. We're not going to stay away because a couple of crazy people made a big mess. This event is bigger than terrorism."

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