Correction: The times listed for the runners were inaccurate and reflected their 40K times; the article has been updated with final race times.

Highlighted by a fast finish from Cory Benson, who was ninth in the 60-64 age group, Newtown/Sandy Hook had quite an impressive showing in the Boston Marathon on April 15. Benson completed the annual race in 3:33.53.

“Yes, I am 62 years old, and I am thrilled to have finished in the top ten in this age group for the third year in a row,” said Benson, who was recognized in New England Runner Magazine last year as the “Veteran Runner of the Year.”

“This was a personal best for me on the Boston Marathon course. Although I had a faster finish this past fall at the Hartford Marathon, the Boston course presents more of a challenge due to the Newton Hills at miles 17 through 21 and the weather,” said Benson, who has run six consecutive Boston Marathons dating back to 2014.

That was the year after the bombing at the event, which served as a motivator for Benson to compete in the race, she noted.

“Due to the unpredictability of Boston April weather, each year brings its own challenges. Last year was by far the worst, like running in a very cold monsoon, although I had a strong finish. What is consistent is the crowds. This marathon is by far my favorite due to the incredible crowd support all 26.2 miles,” she said.

“It’s always fun to cross a finish line, but the marathon is particularly rewarding. Since the training block for a marathon is so long — usually 12-20 weeks — and so many things can go wrong, to finally make it to the end of 26.2 miles feels like an accomplishment. It doesn’t matter how fast you go; it’s a very long way, and anyone that completes a marathon should be proud,” Benson notes.

This was Benson’s tenth marathon during, as she explains it, this phase of her life. “I did run my first marathon when I was in my late 20s, but it was almost 30 years before I ran the next one,” Benson added.

Like many marathoners, Benson did not get started with running until after high school.

“I did not start running until college, just to try to stay in shape. In my mid-20s, I joined a group of friends who participated in fun runs nearly every weekend, and that really got me started. I ran off and on throughout my 30s and 40s, then really got serious again in my 50s when my children went away to college,” Benson said.

Up next, Benson plans to run the Run for the Cows in Redding next month. “It’s a fundraiser for New Pond Farm in Redding, and I’ve been able to participate for several years. My next marathon is the New York City Marathon in November,” Benson said.

Benson can also be found running road races here in Newtown.

“I almost always run the Newtown Turkey Trot with my family. It’s so fun to see old friends there every year; it’s like a town-wide Thanksgiving party before the traditional family event begins. I’ve also enjoyed running Rooster Run, Newtown Road Race, and the Run for Sandy Hook Families in the past,” she said.

“I run all over Newtown. You can see me on my Saturday long run on Currituck, down Main Street, behind Dickinson Park, through Fairfield Hills, along 34 past Newtown High School, and up Church Hill, right past The Bee. It’s impossible to avoid the hills in Newtown, but it’s great training for hilly race courses, like Boston. Newtown drivers are so courteous — so many smile and wave when they drive by,” Benson said.

This avid runner and her husband, Dennis O’Connor, have two children, Kendra and Dan. Benson is the vice president of sales training & development for Sunrise Senior Living, based in McLean, Va. The job requires that she spend about 70 percent of her time traveling.” I think that makes me even more appreciative of having such a beautiful town to run in,” Benson said.

Also representing Newtown/Sandy Hook were Brenda McRae, 35, who finished in 3:29.12; Dan Germain, 57, who finished in 3:32.15; Robert Katrinak, 55, who came across the line in 3:35.07; Michelle Greenspan, 46, who finished in 3:45.50; and Lauren Cirone, 19, who completed the course in 4:20.25.