New Ipswich runner Tory Wight joined thousands of other participants in the Boston Marathon on Monday – her first attempt at the iconic race.

Wight, 48, has participated in multiple other marathons and regularly does half-marathons, but this was her first participation in one of the World Marathon Major races. Her final time was 4:39:07.

“My experience in this race was nothing short of spectacular. The crowd support and the attentiveness of all involved was invigorating,” Wight said. “The course is deceptively downhill from the start but becomes rolling hills toward the last half. The Heartbreak Hill didn't seem as harsh as most foretell. Each and every one of us was treated like a pro at the finish line.”

In addition to her race number, Wight also wore an extra bib declaring this her first Boston Marathon, along with her first name, “Tory,” and said that spectators who noticed cheered her name and congratulated her on her first run.

“Today I'm feeling a bit sore and tired, but I plan to walk it off and get ready for a 10k this coming Sunday. As they say, you've got to get back in the saddle,” Wight said.

Seitz’s ‘incredible’ day

Kristen Seitz of Peterborough ran her second Boston Marathon, finishing in 3:42:23.

“It was easily my favorite race ever. I went in with no expectations and simply wanted to enjoy it, and that’s exactly what I did,” she stated. “It was a gorgeous day and the crowds came to hype us up! I high-fived so many kids along the way and soaked up all the cheers I could. My husband and friends were out in the crowds and even had a huge printout of my face along with custom T-shirts for my cheer squad. It was all so magical!”

On her Facebook page, Seitz wrote about the “magic” that happened in the hills.

“Most of you know this, but for anyone who doesn’t, my dad passed when I was 3. I have two songs on my ‘Race Day’ playlist for him - songs he loved. One came on toward the beginning of Newton,” she stated. “And while it played, my cousin Michaela Tolman and aunt Carol Tolman (from my dad’s side of the family) yelled out my name. I didn’t know they would be out there and it felt like my dad was with me in that moment. The other song for him came on at Heartbreak Hill – I don’t know what I believe, but I know he was pushing me through those miles.”

Bill Fonda contributed to this story.