Sachem Alum Bryan Petillo Runs Boston Marathon

Bryan Petillo wanted to cap off his senior year at Tufts University in a big way. He figured the one of a kind experience of running and completing the Boston Marathon would do. 

The 2007 Sachem North alum finished in 4:26.45, well within the goal he set for himself.

Until the run, his biggest athletic accomplishment was winning a Division III Men's Lacrosse with Tufts last season. It was the school’s first national title in any sport. This season he opted not to play lacrosse.

“I wanted to have a new challenge and motivation,” he said.

Tufts has a program called the "President's Marathon Challenge," which takes about 200 students, alumni, and faculty, and supports them from their training through the actual marathon.

“It was great to be a part of a team like that,” he said. “I enjoyed knowing at the same time that this was an individual challenge, up to me and the training I put in, and not up to the decisions of anyone else.”

Petillo, whose younger brother Cody is a junior on the lacrosse team at Sachem North and father Rich is an assistant coach, enjoyed the race and although difficult, especially the last five miles.

“The crowd was great and was even better than I imagined,” he said. “It is an accomplishment I am very proud of, and I'm thankful for everyone who made it possible and supported me throughout. It was a great way to cap off my senior year and four years at Tufts.”

Did you know? Sachem East track coach and district alum Pete McNeill ran the 1981 Boston Marathon in a personal best time of 2:17:15. Sachem alum and coach Gary Comstack also ran the New York City Marathon a couple of years ago.