Submitted photo: Manson Northwest Webster graduate Chase Bulten interacts with the crowd at Monday’s Boston Marathon.

BOSTON — Earlier this week, Chase Bulten joined just under 30,000 other runners in action at the 129th Boston Marathon.

Bulten, a Manson Northwest Webster and Iowa Central graduate, would go on to finish 132nd overall in a time of 2:26.47 at the world’s oldest annual marathon, which takes place on Patriots’ Day and is hosted by eight cities and towns in greater Boston.

For the current Campbellsville University assistant track and cross country coach, the race presented several challenges and obstacles. Bulten had an idea of what he wanted to accomplish beforehand, detailing his recollection of it all in a Facebook post.

“My goals were to have fun and enjoy the experience, and both exceeded my expectations,” Bulten said. “My ‘A’ goal was for 2:25 or faster (a 5:32 per mile average) with my ‘B’ goal to hold on for at least 2:27 (5:36 average).

“I was hoping to (get) as far into the Top-100 as possible.”

Bulten noted that he was “a little ahead of pace” at the 10k mark of the race, but reminded himself, “don’t go any faster.”

The course runs through 26 miles and 385 yards of winding roads following Route 135, Route 16, Route 30 and the city streets into the center of Boston. With Newton hills, the Boston Marathon is considered to be one of the more difficult races around.

At the 30k mark, Bulten noticed that he was “usually hurting by now but I’m not. I’ve been passing people the whole race.” Shortly there after, he conquered the dreaded hills.

“Only two miles to go but now I am completely depleted,” he said. “Pure survival mode. Put on the tourniquet and pray that I can make it to the finish line under my ‘B’ goal.

“Can’t lose it right at the end. Getting passed a lot now.”

Bulten said that the last mile was “the longest mile of my life. I was counting down the seconds waiting for it to end.

“I was worried falling off pace over the last two miles was mental, however, my legs actually gave out from under me as soon as I stopped in the finish line chute and I’ve never had that happen, so I knew it meant I was really asking all I could from myself.”

John Korir of Kenya was the men’s race winner in a time of 2:04.45. Sharon Lokedi, also of Kenya, claimed the women’s title in a record time of 2:17.22. Conner Mantz was the top American finisher, placing fourth in 2:05.08.

Emily Burmeister, a Fort Dodge Senior High graduate and current head girls cross country coach at Linn-Mar High School in Marion, also ran the Boston Marathon for a second consecutive year. She finished the event in 3:21.05, placing 265th in her division.

“My favorite part of Boston was running near the gates and giving the crowd high-fives,” Bulten said. “Every time, it felt like it rejuventated my energy.

“The crowd support is what made it truly an amazing experience.”

The 27-year-old Bulten won the half-marathon portion of the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon earlier this year. Along with competing for the Cougars and Tritons, the Barnum native ran for Northwestern College.