Runner Profile: Newton Circus Performer Ready for Fourth (Official) Boston Marathon

Runner name: Ginger Howell

Age: 26

Lives in: Newton Lower Falls 

Profession: Circus instructor and performer. I teach with Simply Circus and perform at special events and wine expos.

Marathon experience: This will be my fourth year running Boston -- or sixth, if you count the times I ran as a bandit before I managed to qualify. My personal best is 3:27. I'll be happy with anything faster than that, but best-case scenario, I'm hoping to break 3:20.  

Last year I was injured (severe knots in my calf muscles that would not go away), and I managed to requalify in a 3:38 with just a few seconds to spare. This year I've been feeling really good, and I'm going to prove that I earned the second chance I got.

I will also be competing in the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon in San Francisco in June, and I just recently got my first sponsor, FlexiScore, which is an incredible motivator!

Reason for running: I first started running marathons when I was a student at Wellesley. Standing out there all day, cheering for thousands of runners, some of whom are three or four times your age, you can't help wondering what is would be like to be one of them.

Training tip: Listen to your body.

Qualified runner or charity bib? Qualified runner

Bib number: 14509

Would you like to be featured in a Newton Patch Boston Marathon runner profile?  and email your information to Melanie.Graham@patch.com. The deadline for submissions is Fri., April 13, 2012.

Remember to tune in to Newton Patch on Marathon Monday, April 16, for live updates and photos from the Boston Marathon route.