Valley runners finish Boston Maraton

WASILLA — The Valley’s most recognized endurance runner added another Boston Marathon finish to his long list of running accomplishments.

David Johnston, of Willow, notched a time of 3 hours, 48 minutes, 34 seconds in the country’s most famous marathon, held each year on Patriots Day in Boston. Since competing in his first Boston Marathon in 2006, Johnston, 47, has become one of the Valley’s most awe-inspiring athletes, conquering long-distance running events such as the Susitna 100, Resurrection Pass Ultra and the Iditarod Trail Invitational — a 350-mile quest which leads runners from Knik to McGrath.

Johnston is one of a pair of current Valley residents to complete the historic 26.2-mile run that leads runners to the center of Boston. Julie Morris also finished the race. Morris, 28, clocked a time of 3:47:17.

A number of runners with ties to the Valley also finished. The group includes Allan Spangler, Corbyn Jahn and Cody Priest. Spangler, 30, placed 151st overall with a time of 2:28:30. Jahn, 26, finished with a time of 2:45:55. Priest, 28, recorded a mark of 2:58:40. All three currently reside in Anchorage.

Anchorage’s Chad Trammell was the top Alaska runner in the marathon, finishing 91st with a time of 2:34:09. Juneau’s Shannon Gress led the women with a time of 2:54:13. More than 50 Alaska runners completed the 2017 race.