Boston Marathon F75-79: Jeannie Rice Runs Away with It

• Jeannie Rice won the F75-79 age group in 3:33:15 (8:08/mi) — more than 17 minutes clear of runner-up Vera Nystad's 3:50:43.
• Rice climbed from 4,211th among women at the first checkpoint all the way to 3,710th by mile 21, a steady surge through the Newton Hills that underscored her dominance.
• Nancy Rollins (3rd, 4:28:06) and Joann Jung (4th, 4:55:38) were separated by 27½ minutes, while the final five finishers were spread across just over 34 minutes.
• Ten women finished the F75-79 age group on a cool, drizzly Patriots' Day — 49°F and 90% humidity on the point-to-point run from Hopkinton to Copley Square.

Jeannie Rice (OH) turned in one of the most commanding performances in the F75-79 age group, crossing in 3:33:15 at an 8:08/mi clip. That's not a time you stumble into — it's a sustained, purposeful effort from Hopkinton all the way to Boylston Street. Her gender ranking among all women climbed steadily through the race's most punishing stretch, and by the time she reached mile 21, she had moved up to 3,710th among women — a meaningful gain on a course that chews up athletes through the Newton Hills.

Vera Nystad (2nd, 3:50:43, 8:48/mi) was the clear runner-up, finishing more than 17 minutes behind Rice but well clear of the rest of the field. Her gender ranking improved sharply in the middle miles — jumping from 7,498th to 6,374th — before stabilizing late, suggesting a strong mid-race effort that leveled off over the final miles. Nancy Rollins (IL) took 3rd in 4:28:06 (10:14/mi), though her gender ranking drifted steadily back through the race, from 7,705th to 9,224th — the Newton Hills clearly taking their toll.

Joann Jung (CA) finished 4th in 4:55:38 (11:17/mi) and Barbara Urquhart (AB) was 5th in 5:08:29 (11:46/mi), both holding relatively steady positions among women through the back half. Udon Beidler (PA, 5:13:35), Ikuko Hampton (NJ, 5:21:29), T.J. Bryan (PA, 5:28:48), Patty Hung (CA, 5:40:37), and Theresa Tattersall (MA, 5:42:59) rounded out the age group — Tattersall finishing just 2:22 behind Hung to close out all ten finishers. Every one of them covered 26.2 miles in drizzle and wind to earn it.