At least eight local runners from the area will be part of the 129th Boston Marathon Monday.

They include Chad Strong, Emily Huston-Pounds, Mark Hadley, Matt Ridel, Kristie Shumaker, Amanda & Gary Ford and Jennifer Trimble.

"I really wasn't planning on running in it, " said Strong who's making his first appearance in the prestigious event.

"Everybody I run with and several who have done it before said I have to do it, so I'm going to do it at least once," he continued.

Several runners are in the 26.2 race have done it before.

Amanda Ford is in her fifth Boston race.

"The thing you can count on is crowd support.  You show up as a recreational runner who's really worked hard to get here and the atmosphere is overwhelming."

Trimble is running the race a fourth time and knows it'll be awesome. "The city comes together like no other and sense of community pride in Boston is incredible.

This is the only major marathon where entrants have to qualify to make it.

"We all have goal times and we all have times that we want to hit," said Ford. "But I think ending the race, healthy, safe and happy with our friends that's really the goal."

Strong has never seen the course and wants to improve personally.

"I want to beat the last time in Columbus of 2:58:00. Its the competitive nature that I have so, if everything goes right I'll do that. If not, I'll enjoy the experience."

Trimble says the course is tough adding you have to pray you did enough training and hold on for dear life.