New Enterprise Woman Achieves Goal Of Running in Boston Marathon For 125th Race

Ever since she started running marathons, Jessica Holsinger of New Enterprise has been training for the Boston Marathon. On Oct. 11, Holsinger reached her goal as she participated in the 125th Boston Marathon.

Holsinger usually trains for about four months before running a marathon. She takes the time to run, lift and do core exercises. However, the Boston Marathon was different than her usual circumstances.

"They contacted me seven weeks out from the marathon to tell me I qualified," said Holsinger. "I had to crunch all that training into a short period of time."

To prepare, Holsinger ran four days a week, lifted three days a week, and did core exercises two days a week.

Holsinger was supposed to run in the 2020 race, but it was held virtually. Participants ran 26 miles in places around their homes and sent in their times.

"It wasn't the same as actually going," said Holsinger.

The marathon is 26.2 miles. Holsinger described the course as "difficult," but was pleased with her 4 hour 1 minute 48 second time (9 minute and 14 second pace).

This was Holsinger's 10th marathon since she started marathon running in 2017. Among those 10 marathons, she has run in Buffalo, Erie and Baltimore.

"My main goal was always to get to Boston," she said.

Running started as a hobby for Holsinger, who is a mother of two daughters. She wanted something to keep her busy.

Holsinger was not a runner in her youth, though she played soccer.

"My younger sister and brother ran," said Holsinger. "I was in a running family, but I didn't participate."

Holsinger's husband, Adam, and her sister, Ashley Appleman, accompanied her to the marathon to cheer her on.