Jonathan Beal, Finished 7th Overall, in second annual Urban RAID.

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 1,458)

For several years now, Jonathan Beal has wanted to run in the Boston Marathon.  Today, finishing 7th out of a field of about 467 runners, the likeable Beal came closer to realizing that goal.  His time for the race was 23.37.  “I can do better,” he said.  Todays race was the Urban RAID, a 5K race with obstacles along the waterfront course.  The second RAID was sponsored by aura360.

Last June, Beal was part of the team that contracted to set up and take down the obstacles in the RAID.  This year, he was one of the participants – finishing in the top 2% of the participants. Last May, Beal graduated from USM with a degree in nursing.  He works as an operating room nurse in the Bridgton Hospital, Bridgton. “I love that job.  I like helping and fixing people.” That position placed him in a better financial position, so he was able to participate in the RAID rather than work for it.  Currently Beal is a Munjoy Hill resident, although that will change soon so  he can be closer to his job in Bridgton.

“I run because I love it.  I feel free and run fast.  I was never good at team sports,” Beal said following the race this afternoon.  He attended Lewiston  High School and the team was so good that it went to the New England Regional Meets,4 x 200, relay in Boston in 2004.  Now he wants to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

To qualify for the Boston Marathon next year, Beal has to run a certain time – 3 hours and 5 minutes. for the 26.2 miles of a marathon.   In October, he will try to qualify for Boston by running in the Maine Marathon in Portland. That is a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon.  To train, he runs a lot of miles every week.  Currently, Beal runs 4 or 5 miles a day during the week.  On weekends he steps it up.  He runs 10 miles on Saturday and 17 – 20  miles on Sunday. Following each race he drinks a lot of water rather than beer.  “I prefer water over beer, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like my beer,” he said grinning broadly.

“I’ll be back in Portland,” he says.   It won’t be soon enough for this multi-talented guy.