22-Year-Old to Run First Boston Marathon

Name: Emma Bergstrom

Age: 22

Marathon experience: "I have no prior marathon experience, this will be my first," she said. "I've run the Falmouth Road Race for the past three years as well as a few 10 and 5ks."

Reason for running: Bergstrom said she and her roommate, who is from Hopkinton, have gone to watch the marathon each year as Northeastern students. "During our freshman year we made a list of things we wanted to do while living in Boston and running the marathon was on it," she said. "We figured our senior year would be the year to do it and decided to formally start training in October. "

Training tip: Bergstrom suggests running with a friend. "I don't think I would have been able to train for this marathon without my roommate, Kelli," she said. "We keep each other motivated on our long runs each week, plus talking throughout the run helps to pass the time."