When Andover’s Nina Caron got the big news a few hundred yards from the finish line on Boylston Street, there was no laurel wreath, post-race interview or public announcement.
Instead it was her husband, Gerry Caron, with cell phone in hand, looking at a particular list of finishers.
Nina finished in 3:22:01 and became a Boston Marathon champion.
The real people’s champion.
“He said, ‘You won!’” she recalled. “It didn’t really register with me. I said, ‘What?’ and he said, ‘You definitely won your age group.’”
Then it hit the 65-year-old mother of four and grandmother of four more.
“I figured I was in the running and maybe had won,” she said. “But when he said that, it hit me. And I was very, very happy.”
It wasn’t Caron’s first rodeo that ended in the winner’s circle. For 30 years she has found a way to dedicate herself to her sport while juggling family and her “The Fit Dimension” business, which focuses training and nutrition, basically a one-stop shop for health, body and mind.
Caron won back-to-back women’s master’s division titles in the NE Grand Prix Racing Series (seven road races, 5K to marathon) in 2002 and 2003. A year later she ran in the U.S. Women’s Olympic Trials marathon … at age 41!
The past two decades her family, business and, well, age have lessened her racing choices.
But the times she competes she races to win.
“I am a competitor and I’ve always challenged myself with personal goals, sort of, let’s see if I can do this,” said Nina. “Sometimes it works out. Sometimes it doesn’t. I don’t let it stop me when it doesn’t.”
Ironically, eight hours before Monday’s race her health, body and mind weren’t doing so well.
“I came down with a cold about five days before the race and I wasn’t feeling good at all,” said Nina. “Before getting into the van (at Whirlaway) to head to Hopkinton I told Dave (Kazanjian) I was sick and felt horrible.
“He said, ‘Just go out and do your best and don’t worry about it. Honestly, that calmed me down a bit.”
Then the old Nina fire returned.
She realized what she put into Monday’s race, including 55-mile weeks and speed workouts.
“I said to myself, ‘You know what; I can’t let this get in my way,’” she said. “I worked too hard to get here. My mindset changed.”
The rest was history.
She had two focal points at the start.
“First of all, the weather was perfect; no wind,” said Nina. “I didn’t want to go out too fast and get to every hydration station. It made a big difference. At every station I’d sip and go. I felt like I never lost my rhythm. I’m not a kid any more. The little things you do are important.”
A year ago, she finished in 3:33:07 on a day that had its challenges.
Everything, though, clicked on Monday as she entered the new 65-to-70 age group.
“Plain and simple Nina is mentally tough, right up with the best we’ve had running for Whirlaway,” said Kazanjian. “She’s special. To win any category in a major world marathon like Boston is an amazing feat.”
Nina said turning 65 has not deterred her expectations going forward. And apparently her family is all-in.
“One of my kids said, ‘Mom, why don’t you do New York (Marathon) in the fall,’” said Nina. “I’m thinking about it; maybe London next spring; or maybe do Boston again.”
“I have a full personal life. I love being around my four grandkids,” she said. “But I like training and I like running marathons. People think I’m nuts. Maybe I am. But I’m having so much fun.”
You can email Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.