Valley man running Boston Marathon for new reason

WASILLA — David Johnston is no stranger to the Boston Marathon. But this year, the Mat-Su Valley man is running for another reason.

When Johnston hits the pavement April 18 for the 26.2-mile run deep into the heart of historic Boston, Johnston will be running for charity, representing the Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center in Hopinton, Mass.

Johnston, who has run the Boston Marathon in five straight years and has 45 career marathons under his belt, admits running for charity was not always his plan. It actually came to be a Plan B, but something he’s embraced.

This year, race officials altered the way entries are accepted, Johnston said. By the time Johnston could get online to register, the race field had reached his limit.

“It sold out in eight hours,” Johnston said. “Usually, you have a month or two window to get in.”

On the first day of the sign-ups, Johnston said he got a call from his girlfriend about the news.

“She said, ‘I hate to be the one to tell you this,’” Johnston said. “I was floored, almost in tears. I look forward to this every year.”

Johnston said his girlfriend saw the option of running for charity and suggested it to him. As soon as he looked at the race’s approved list of charities, he began to think seriously about the option.

The first charity he read about, the Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center, provides a home away from home for children and adults with disabilities.

“That’s what I used to do for work,” said Johnston, who has worked locally with people with special needs and their families.

Johnston has already started his fund-raising, with a number of businesses and individuals donating to the cause. The Respite Center is a non-profit 501c3 (tax identification number 04-323-7284) and donations can also be mailed to Johnston at P.O. Box 87134, Wasilla, AK 99654.

“It’s been a fun experience,” Johnston said. “I’ve never run for a charity before.”

In the future, Johnston said he’d love to run again for charity, but for a Mat-Su Valley cause.

Johnston, 41, said he’s been hard at work, preparing for his sixth run in the Boston Marathon, running about 90 miles per week. Johnston said his goal is to break the three-hour mark this year.

“Five years, that race has kicked my butt,” Johnston said.

Johnston said he’s changed his training a bit this year, trying to run on pavement instead of trails.

The Boston Marathon is just a piece of Johnston’s busy running schedule. He plans on competing in seven marathons and three 100-mile races this year.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.