Coast Runner Gears up for Boston Marathon

One of the top marathons in the world is set for Monday and avid runners everywhere are lacing up their sneakers. So far, twenty-seven people from Mississippi, including five from the Coast, are registered for this year’s Boston Marathon. News 25’s Kristen Durand caught up with one of them today.

With 63 marathons under his belt, Leonard Vergunst is an avid runner from Ocean Springs. He’s warming up for his tenth year of the Boston Marathon which is set for Monday. “Pretty much lately, I’ve been going every year and it’s my favorite race. I just keep going back.”

And as he steps to the starting line, he’ll have a whole lot more than keeping a good pace on his mind as he remembers the 2013 bombings that injured hundreds and claimed three lives. Leonard had completed the race about one hour before the explosives went off. “I heard the sirens and all the commotion in the city. I watched it on TV just like everybody else from the hotel room, just like why? And you didn’t know if more were going to go off and the phone service, I couldn’t get a word out so it was scary.”

While the memory of the 2013 bombings will never fade, Leonard says the spirit of Boston is still alive and it’s what keeps him returning time and time again. “The whole city is just so supportive and encouraging. I mean, I’ve run a lot of the major marathons around the country and the support that you get in Boston from the people there is stronger than anywhere,” said Vergunst.

This year Vergunst is headed to Boston with four friends from the Coast, also runners who are excited to experience their first ever Boston Marathon. “I can’t wait to see their face after they finish. They are going to be walking around with wide eyes and it’s going to be an experience. They’ve run marathons before but they have no idea what they’re going to experience.”

Vergunst says the 26.2 mile course is an experience like no other. “I always get goose bumps that last mile. People are yelling because no matter how tired I am, with all the support, I find a way to finish strong.”