6 Mendham, Chester Runners Go Boston Strong, Complete Marathon

It wasn’t just a race this year.

It was redemption.

For 36,000 runners, the Boston Marathon on Monday was a way to crush the demons that had marred last year’s event, when two bombs went off near the finish line, killing three people and injuring dozens more.

Mendham and Chester were well represented in the race, with six men taking on the 26.2-mile challenge.

Four men from the Mendhams – all over the age of 50 – ran with impressive times, three of whom completed the race in less than three and-a-half hours.

According to the Boston Athletic Association’s website, baa.org, Mendham’s John Micera, 53, led the group with an official time of 3 hours, 20 minutes and 11 seconds. Right behind was James Button, 56, with a time of 3 hours, 21 minutes and 49 seconds. A few minutes later John Helfrick, 52, finished the course at 3 hours, 29 minutes and 30 seconds. Mark Washburne, 58, ended the race with a time of 4 hours, 19 minutes and 35 seconds.

Two men from Chester also completed the race, but in less than four hours. Chester’s Michael Lasusa, 40, brought his 7 minute, 10 second pace to the finish line with an official finish of 3 hours, 7 minutes and 47 seconds. Not far behind him was Johnathan Wagar with a time of 3 hours, 40 minutes and 55 seconds.

Monday’s race was historical for another reason, as the first American man since 1983 came in first place. Meb Keflezighi finished with a time of 2 hours, 8 minutes and 37 seconds. Keflezighi also won silver in the 2004 Olympics marathon and came in fourth in the 2012 Games.