GREENWOOD – The third Monday in April each year holds significant meaning to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts – and this year it was just as important to Romie Llewellyn of the Lander Women's Soccer program.

Patriots' Day, as it's known, has been celebrated since 1894, but in 1897 began the world's most famous marathon: the Boston Marathon.

But before making it there on April 21, 2025, Llewellyn's journey started some 3,000 miles away nearly two years in advance.

July 23, 2023 marked her foray into the marathon sphere, in the 45th edition of the San Francisco Marathon.

That one, though, was more on a whim.

"Just (signed) up and decided I was going to do it," Llewellyn said. "I trained myself and figured it would be a good way to get fitness for soccer."

It wound up serving an additional purpose for the Florida native, as it gave her the marathon bug, she said.

"After San Francisco, I finished that and was like, 'Now I just want to run the biggest marathon in the world!'"

Her sights set firmly on Boston, Llewellyn knew there would be more steps to take.

With the 2023 soccer season and academic year in her immediate future, she started the search for a marathon the following summer that could qualify her for Boston.

Enter, Buffalo.

The Buffalo Marathon on May 26 of last year was what made the goal become reality: Llewellyn smashed the 3 hour, 25-minute cut-line by a full seven minutes, and so knew what was in store come the following April.

Now equipped with the knowledge and experience of two marathons – and a coach following San Francisco – it was time to prepare.

"After senior season of soccer, I knew I would be totally done for the spring. I pretty much started marathon training immediately in December," she said.

"I ran five times a week with long runs every Saturday. Speed sessions, interval sessions. One day a week was a type of cross-training. And lifting three to four times a week, too."

Those long runs built from 13 or 14 miles in February to 23 the first week of April before tamping down in the days before the race.

Fully prepared, any nerves on race day morning were more excitement than anything, Llewellyn said.

Even still, nothing but the real thing can prepare you for the chaotic energy come the start of such a grand event. "At that point," she said smiling, "I would say my heart rate was pretty high."

28,845 runners and nerves pushed aside, it was time to do what she had been doing for months: Run.

Knowing the first 10k was primarily downhill, Llewellyn knew better than to push too hard and get burned out. From there, it was a matter of navigating the rolling hills for several miles, but she hit a bit of a hiccup at the ninth mile after stepping in a hole.

"My left calf was on the verge of cramping the rest of the time, and at that point I knew it was (going to) be rough."

A little worse for the wear, she nevertheless persisted in the biggest race on the calendar.

The next hurdle of sorts – as it is for all competitors – was the 16th mile where the Newton Hills begin, and later end with Heartbreak Hill starting at mile 20.

"That's the point where people kind of (fade) out. … It's honestly kind of scary when you see all of the med tents and people going to them, but I knew that part was going to be mentally the hardest.

"After that, it was kind of like, 'Alright, you've just got to finish.'"

And finish, she did, in 3:20:49.

Said Llewellyn: "I pretty much wanted to break-down and cry; I was just so happy. There's no feeling like finishing a marathon in general, and then finishing the Boston Marathon which is the biggest in the world. … It's like a euphoric feeling. And then seeing my family afterward made me want to cry even more."

When asked to describe the feeling of crossing the stripe after a years-long journey, her answer was succinct yet powerful.

"Unforgettable."