By Kathleen Calcutt

The Boston Marathon, a grueling 26.2 mile course starting at Athletes Village in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and winding its way past iconic landmarks such as Wellesley College’s “Scream Tunnel” at mile 13, the infamous Newton Hills starting at mile 16 and the half-mile long “Heart Break Hill” at mile 20, before finishing at the world’s most famous finish line on Boylston Street in Boston. Over 30,000 runners participated in this year’s 129th Boston Marathon on April 21, 2025. Among them were Americus runners Charlene Pennymon in her 13th consecutive Boston Marathon Finish and Jake Griffith running Boston for the first time.

Griffith, a charge nurse at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, began training for Boston in November 2021. “I wasn’t always a runner. When I started in 2019, I could barely run a mile and a half. Now I run because I love it,” says Griffith. “Two years ago, I ran a half-marathon and enjoyed it. I decided to try to qualify for Boston because it’s special.” According to Griffith’s running partner Brian Miller, Griffin takes his training seriously. “Jake is up by 3:00 a.m. daily to get in his miles,” Miller says. “He runs 75 to 80 miles per week on his own and with the local Southern Heat Running Club.” “Because I was a relatively new runner,” Griffith says, “about 3-4 years ago I began looking for a coach to help me learn the science of running. I found Team Run Run on-line and started receiving coaching from Andrew Dionne, a running coach from Syracuse, New York.” Boston is only Griffith’s second marathon, his first was the Combos Marathon in Albany, Georgia, where he ran 2:45 to qualify for Boston, and then Boston Marathon itself, where he ran 2:56.

Pennymon, a Vice President at Citizens Bank of Americus, is an Elite Status Boston Marathon Runner, and a Black Unicorn Marathoner, which is a group that works to promote the visibility of black excellence in long-distance running. She ran her first Boston Marathon in 2013 with a time of 3:53. Thirteen years later at the young age of 60, Pennymon finished the race in 4:15, a full 17 minutes faster than her time last year. Pennymon first discovered running as a 400 meter track sprinter at Tri-County High School in the 1980’s. She took up distance running as an adult and found that she enjoyed running long distances. “I run after work during the week and do my long run, usually 14 miles, on Sundays before church,” says Pennymon. “My mentor, Dr. Michael Busman, coached me for my very first Marathon in 2012, the Snickers Marathon, which was also my first Boston qualifier. His knowledge of running was very instrumental in helping to shape my love of distance running.” Local runners often spot Pennymon running in the dark wearing a visor with her “Coal Miners Headlamp.” Pennymon has been a pillar in the Americus running community for decades, volunteering countless hours working with Southland Academy’s Cross Country team. “Go to any race and you will find Charlene running with the last place runner, talking to them and giving them encouragement,” says Patrick Calcutt. “Charlene is an incredibly kind and talented woman who has positively affected more lives than she could possibly know,” says Mary Satara a former student runner.

Pennymon describes Boston as a “26.2 mile party, where the runners are all made to feel like celebrities. The atmosphere in Boston is electric. There is nothing like it in the world. Even after 13 consecutive races, I never get tired of it. I can’t wait to go back. As soon as I step off that bus at Athletes’ Village, I feel so fortunate and blessed to be able to run there. I love it.” But there is more to the Boston Marathon experience than just the race. Pennymon enjoys the pre-race activities as much as the race itself. For example: “Each Sunday before the Marathon, there is a famous Service held at the Old South Church of Boston called The Blessing of the Athletes, it is always so moving, and I feel that it helps to mentally prepare me for my upcoming 26.2 mile journey,” Pennymon says.

For Griffith, Boston was an amazing adventure. “I thought I was prepared. I’d run a great time in my first marathon, I’d trained well and managed to avoid getting injured. But nothing can prepare you for running Boston except running Boston. The whole atmosphere surrounding the race is incredible. The Scream Tunnel is so loud and everyone wants to give you high fives. I gave quite a few high fives. You are energized by the huge crowds and the music. Everyone is congratulating you and cheering you on. Then you come to the Newton Hills, miles of hills, and then Heart Break Hill. It’s basically all downhill from there, but my legs were so dead. I couldn’t speed up to the finish line like I planned, all I could do was will myself to keep going. I can’t wait to go back.”