Navy Lieutenant Finishes Boston Marathon for 11th Time

BOSTON (NNS) -- A Navy Recruiting District New England officer recruiter was one of the 30,000 people to participate in the 114th Boston Marathon April 19.

Lt. Mark Bell, who finished the 26.2-mile trek at 2:56:01, credits the Navy and his wife for getting him to the point he is at now – on and off the marathon course.

The event marked Bell's 11th time to finish the Boston Marathon.

Bell said he was always into sports as a child but never really got into running until he enlisted in the Navy.

"I played every sport you could think of growing up," said Bell. "But it was a senior enlisted guy who challenged me to a race. At 19 years old and with no training to speak of, I entered the naval base 5K and walked away with a first place trophy."

Bell modestly said it was just his age that got him through that first race, but it was enough to "plant a seed."

"That [finish] can easily be attributed to youth and a small turn out at the race," said Bell, who conceded, however, it was the beginning of his passion for running. "It's what got it all started."

Bell said it was his wife, Barbara, who really got him into competitive running.

Bell recalled a date they had before their marriage.

"It was at a flat 5-mile summer race in South Boston," said Bell. "We started the race together but finished separately. When we found each other after the race she was holding a medal, and I wasn't. That's when the competition started."

Bell said he thinks the Navy's physical readiness program is an adequate metric to measure a Sailor's physical condition. However, Bell said after three weeks a person may start to lose their conditioning, which means fitness is left up to each individual service member.

"People have to stay on top of their fitness and not be part of the 'three mile a year club,'" said Bell.

Bell has found a high level of interest for the Boston Marathon among his shipmates and encourages each of them to also pursue their dream one step at a time.

Bell, who originally joined the service from a small town in Wisconsin as an enlisted Sailor in 1984, also credits the Navy for a very diverse and rewarding career. He has not only been enlisted and an officer but he has also been a Reservist.

For more news from Navy Recruiting District New England, visit www.navy.mil/local/nrdne/.