Bruce Bergquist '55

Bruce Bergquist '55 was not a track team member in college, but he has now joined the fraternity of runners who have finished the 26 miles of Boston's famed A.A. Marathon.

Culminating three months of serious training in his home town of Pottstown, Pa., Bruce and his family took off in April for Boston where he finished 272nd in a field of 853 and covered the route from Hopkinton to Boston in four hours and 20 minutes. Betsy and the children were there to cheer from various points along the way and dispense Gatorade, a special drink to replenish salt in your system. Bruce was there to realize a long-standing ambition.

"I achieved my objective," he said. "I wanted to win that certificate (for completing the Marathon in less than four hours) but my main objective was to finish and I'm very happy."

An English master at Pottstowns Hill School, Bruce is a devotee of physical fitness. Friends at first thought his preparations for the race were a joke, but now they know he was serious, especially since his exploit was given wide coverage in the "Pottstown Mercury."

Bruce is a native of the Boston area, but had not even seen the Marathon until he ran in it. He says it is impossible to describe the feeling of participating in the event. However, he does pretty well with this quote: "All these guys run for just the love of it and although I didn't get my certificate I still have my number and other mementos which I'll always cherish."

What about next year? No firm plans yet, but "Once you start running you don't quit."

Bruce Bergquist '55, English master at The Hill School, crossing the finish line272 nd in a field of 853 in the famed Boston A.A. Marathon, April 19 (AP Photo).