Growing up just a short distance from where thousands of runners have passed each Patriots’ Day since 1897, John Bianchi has long been immersed in the tradition of the Boston Marathon.
The Natick senior got his first taste of racing on the legendary course as a middle schooler four years ago, winning the 1K race during Marathon weekend. It was a moment that ignited a passion for the sport that has yet to fade.
“It kind of sparked my running career,” said the multiple All-Stater. “I ran here in middle school and after that I kind of fell in love with running.”
It all came full circle on Saturday for the Redhawks standout. Competing on the same course where it all began, Bianchi once again found himself on top, capturing a victory that could set the tone for his final season as a high schooler.
On a cool day for racing, Bianchi was red-hot down the stretch, earning top honors in the BAA Scholastic Mile. It didn’t come easy, as he had to fend off strong challenges from Brookline teammates Theodore Butty and Harry Flint. Bianchi surged on Boylston Street to win in 4:25.55, with Butty taking second in 4:26.68 and Flint close behind in 4:26.77 for third.
Bianchi’s time was just shy of the event record of 4:25.32 by former Framingham great Sam Burgess.
“It’s a great race, amazing atmosphere,” he said. “I love the Boston Marathon, so it’s such a special thing to come here and race at the finish line. It’s truly just a blessing.”
Bianchi committed himself right from the beginning of the three-lap race, which follows the historic marathon’s closing stretch down Boylston Street.
“I kind of wanted to crank it hard because I knew the field was deep. There’s a lot of people that can hang around if we didn’t make it go fast,” he said. “With Theo, me and him were just working hard, pushing up front. I was trying to get the course record. I barely missed it.”
For Bianchi, who won the mile at the Meet of Champions this past winter, the victory signals the start of a season that he hopes will continue the success he experienced during the indoor campaign.
“I am just trying to get under 4:10 for the mile. That’s been a goal of mine for a while,” said the Redhawks star, who boasts an all-time best of 4:11.45 from New Balance Nationals last month. “I just want to keep trying to win each race and go for the state title and further into Nationals.”
Like its counterpart, the girls’ race also came down to the final few meters, with just over two seconds separating the top three finishers.
Sara Blanco, a junior at John E. O’Bryant, pulled away for the win in 5:17.61. Newton North’s Maggie Abely finished second in 5:18.27, while Newton South’s Isabelle Monaghan secured third in 5:19.94.
Blanco didn’t enter the race expecting to come out on top. After taking the lead early and controlling the pace for much of the race, she began to realize the win was within reach.
“I didn’t really think I could win it,” she said. “I figured I could probably get top three. I was already in the front, so I figured I might as well go for the win.”
Blanco said there was no better feeling than racing down the same stretch that nearly 30,000 runners will take on during Monday’s Boston Marathon.
“It was amazing,” she said. “To break the tape was one of the most amazing feelings ever. It was really cool having all the cameras in your face. It’s so cool, and I’m so grateful to have this opportunity today.”
The late-morning festivities also featured a pair of middle school 1K races, along with the men’s and women’s professional miles.
In the middle school events, Waltham’s Alex Kvitnitsky (2:58.13) and Brookline’s Hannah Tipton (3:17.02) claimed the respective boys’ and girls’ titles.
New York’s Eric Holt, representing Empire Elite Track Club, won the men’s mile in 4:06.64. Kenya’s Dorcus Ewoi defended her crown in the women’s race, setting a course record of 4:29.73.
Click on the links below results, interviews with our high school and middle school winners and nearly 1,200 photos from Saturday’s races.
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BAA Scholastic Mile – Boys
- John Bianchi, Natick 4:25.55
- Theodore Butty, Brookline 4:26.68
- Harry Flint, Brookline 4:26.77
- Freddie Van der Velden, Natick 4:31.69
- Luca Domsetice, Ashland 4:34.74
- Sean Finnegan, Hopkinton 4:35.19
- Sami Juma, Wellesley 4:36.22
- Nolan Harris, Newton South 4:38.46
- Adam Kramer, John O’Bryant 4:49.52
- Alex Bonnette, Wellesley 4:50.12
- Darian Leo, Hopkinton 4:51.55
- Nathaniel Hill, Wellesley 4:55.34
- Gianluca Ugflialoro, Ashland 4:59.30
- Maxence Badri, Newton North 5:00.44
- Bennett Faltoin, Framingham 5:01.60
- Evan Harris, Framingham 5:23.36
BAA Scholastic Mile – Girls
- Sara Blanco, John O’Bryant 5:17.61
- Maggie Abely, Newton North 5:18.27
- Isabelle Monaghan, Newton South 5:19.94
- Sophia Warnewcki, Ashland 5:31.97
- SAadie Gilhooly, Ashland 5:33.71
- Neve Flynn, Boston Latin 5:40.80
- Lila Heling, Hopkinton 5:43.49
- Hannah Peterson, Brookline 5:43.67
- Sydney Palma, Framingham 5:46.27
- Samantha McMorrow, Natick 5:54.84
- Eloise Crissman, Wellesley 5:59.15
- Jillian Toran, Hopkinton 6:00.19
- Brooklyn Adams, Framingham 6:00.75
- Lydia Beaudoin, Natick 6:09.33
- Courtney Edmonds, Wellesley 6:15.82
- Rose Murray, Brookline 6:35.97
