Several fine performances from the area contingent, roughly 150 strong, at the Boston Marathon:

Stephanie Hood of Elsah, Ill., finished an astonishing 10th in the women’s elite division in 2 hours, 44 minutes, 44 seconds. She’s the highest placed area finisher in the Boston race since Craig Virgin finished second in1981.

The fastest area finisher was Bryan Calloway of St. Louis, in 2:34:40.  St. Louisan Steve Warner was second fastest in 2:43:34.

Other area runners finishing in less than 3 hours:

• Stephen Chorma, O’Fallon, Ill., 2:54:24
• Jeremy Lueders, Webster Groves, 2:54:31
• Arthur Schaupeter, St. Louis, 2:55:26.
• Barry Davolt, St. Louis, 2:57:32
• Matt Dirnbeck, Florissant, 2:58:49
• Chad Silker, Ballwin, 2:59:29
• Robert Fuerst, St. Louis, 2:59:41

On other achievement of note: Claudia Kasen of Des Peres finished third in her age group, 50-59, in 3:16:32.

And, we counted 140 finishers from the area. Nice job to one and all.