Former Whitefish resident runs Boston Marathon to honor victims of 2013 terrorist bombing

Nick Ferrington was on his way to the finish line as a spectator of the Boston Marathon in 2013 when tragedy hit.

Two bombs exploded seconds apart as part of a terrorist attack near the finish line of the annual race killing three people and injuring several hundred others. Ferrington was just blocks away after having left his apartment late that day, and when the terrorists later had a shootout with police it happened just five minutes from his apartment.

Ferrington, 31, says the weeks following the Boston Marathon bombing were scary.

He was a staple in the Montana music scene before he left in 2010 to pursue his dream of DJing full-time in Boston. Ferrington, known as on stage as Nicholas Minaj, was a local DJ and bassist/vocalist for Whitefish punk band and Vans Warped Tour veterans, El Pollo Diablo. He has returned often to Whitefish holding performances here.

Following the 2013 incident, Ferrington felt inspired to run the Boston Marathon someday to honor those who died or were injured.

“I visited a fan-made memorial where runners were leaving their bibs and shoes,” he said. “In that moment I knew I needed to run this race and make it come full circle.”

On Monday, he plans to run in the 2018 Boston Marathon for the first time. In fact, it will be only his third marathon, but he felt compelled to push himself to train, but also raise the funds that will allow him to enter the famous race.

“The Boston Marathon is a bid day here — it’s a holiday, there’s no school, businesses are closed,” he said Tuesday. “People try to find a place downtown to watch the finish line.”

While typically runners must quality for the Boston Marathon, a few thousand runner spots are set aside for those who raise funds for one of the marathon’s official charities.

Ferrington is currently on a mission to raise $7,000 for the Red Sox Foundation, which aides youth and families throughout New England with various methods of financial and community support. The foundation includes programs for at-risk youth, scholarships for students and recreational development programs.

Ferrington, who works as a tour guide at Fenway Park, is one of about 15 people connected with the Boston Red Sox who are raising funds for the foundation to run in the race. He says on race day he will be wearing his Red Sox jersey, but also his Montana pin because he is also racing for his home state.

“The fundraising has been tough, but it’s been a lot more meaningful doing it this way,” he said. “It will be an epic day when I cross the finish line.”

As of Tuesday, Ferrington had raised about $1,800 toward his goal. He has until May to raise the final amount.

To donate to Ferrington, visit http://redsoxfoundation.racepartner.com/, click on “find a fundraiser” and then search by his name.