CLARKS SUMMIT — One area runner will be participating in the Boston Marathon for the first time April 17 while another will be running the race for the 25th time.

Ashley Shamus, 29, of Clarks Summit, will be running just her second marathon while Tony Cerminaro Sr., 80, of Jermyn will be taking part in the 107th of his running career.

Shamus is excited to experience everything that comes along with running in the world’s largest annual marathon, but Cerminaro is looking to make history.

“I’m looking forward to the whole atmosphere and the positive energy from the crowds and runners,” Shamus said. “Boston is a great running city. I’m not worried about my time, I just want to enjoy the experience and take it all in.”

Cerminaro will head to Boston with the goal of winning his age group once again.

“I placed first in my age group at 60, 63 and 70,” he said. “I also have two seconds and two thirds. If I can win my age group this year I will have a first-place finish in three different decades, which I don’t think was ever done at Boston.”

He didn’t begin running until age 50, but Cerminaro quickly fell in love with the sport.

“I’ve made friends all over,” he said. “You meet so many people and runners are a different breed. Nobody fights or argues. If somebody wins, you shake their hand.”

Cerminaro reflected back on the 2013 bombings, but didn’t let that experience keep him from returning in the following years.

“I was a block through the finish line when the first (bomb) went off,” he said. “I turned around and thought it was fireworks. I walked another 50 feet and another one went off, then I knew something happened. There was a guy running toward me with blood all over his T-shirt and Boston was locked right down. It took me an hour and a half to get back to the hotel, which usually only took 15 minutes.”

Leo Turissini, 65, of Scott Township, will be participating in his third Boston Marathon and is always impressed by the hospitality from the city’s residents.

“The crowd support is outstanding,” he said. “People are lined up the whole way. It’s just an incredible experience.”

Turissini also ran the race during 2013 and didn’t fully realize how close his wife was located to one of the bombs until returning a few years later.

“Before the race, we went to see a memorial right where the bomb went off,” he said. “It hit me then how close she was to getting hurt.”

Bill Fiore, 66, of Clarks Green, also qualified for the Boston Marathon for the third time and cherishes time spent with friends he’s made over the years through the sport.

“That’s the greatest thing about running,” he said. “You share the passion with so many other people and challenge and support each other.”

From left, local runners Ashley Shamus, 29, of Clarks Summit; Tony Cerminaro Sr., 80, of Jermyn; Leo Turissini, 65, of Scott Township; and Bill Fiore, 66, of Clarks Green, will participate in the 121st Boston Marathon April 17.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_ABJ-Boston-Marathon.jpg.optimal.jpgFrom left, local runners Ashley Shamus, 29, of Clarks Summit; Tony Cerminaro Sr., 80, of Jermyn; Leo Turissini, 65, of Scott Township; and Bill Fiore, 66, of Clarks Green, will participate in the 121st Boston Marathon April 17. Robert Tomkavage | Abington Journal

By Robert Tomkavage

rtomkavage@timesleader.com

Reach Robert Tomkavage at 570-704-3941 or on Twitter @rtomkavage.