April 16, 2007

BOSTON, MASS. - Kirk Dornton, a 2004 Marist College graduate and still the school record holder in the 10,000-meter run, placed 131st out of more than 20,000 entrants in Monday's Boston Marathon. Running in his first Boston and second marathon overall, Dornton completed the 26.2-mile course in heavy wind and rain in a time of 2:40:47, an average of 6:08 per mile.

Dornton's time placed him 107th in his age division, 121st among men and 96th among United States men's finishers. At the halfway mark, Dornton was on pace for his fastest marathon as he went through in 1:15:33. But heavy rain, wind and the famed Newton hills took its toll on the 25-year-old.

"I was happy to be able to hang on and run 2:40,'' Dornton said after the race.

In 2003, Dornton ran 30:38 for 10,000 meters at the Penn Relays, which remains the school record. In his debut marathon in November of 2006, Dornton ran 2:35:15 at Philadelphia. He is currently a teacher at nearby Arlington High School. He lives in Balmville, Orange County.

Also on Monday, 2000 Marist graduate Tom Henry of New York City completed Boston in a strong time of 2:56:33. That time was good for 642nd overall and 605th among men in the race. Henry went through 13.1 miles in 1:26:18 and maintained a strong pace through the finish.