“Slay the day, rep the steps, let’s go.” This phrase has carried 49-time Boston Marathon runner and Londonderry resident Mike Beeman far beyond the finish line. Before sunrise, he is already moving, determined to outrun the challenges that come with age.

For nearly five decades, Beeman has built a 49-year legacy of running the Boston Marathon. For the 2026 Boston Marathon on April 20, Beeman laced up his shoes with the same dedication that made him a legend at his two alma maters, Pinkerton Academy and Londonderry High School. As a former Astro and Lancer, Beeman continues to visit both schools before his races.

Whether he is preparing for races or simply following his daily routine, running gives him a sense of balance and positivity that carries him throughout his day.

“I feel like running does make me a better person because it relaxes me before I take on anything,” Beeman said. “Whether it is teaching, coaching, going to the grocery store, flying up to Boston, I’m in a better mood because I have my run or walk in for the day.”

As the course shifts from physical endurance to mental toughness, Beeman said the energy from the crowd becomes what carries him through the second half of the race.

“When I get over 10 miles, I look forward to the people going nuts,” Beeman said. “Then after Wellesley, you hit halfway, and you have to get the mindset that everything is over the hill; you just have to hold on.”

Assistant Principal Katie Sullivan first met Beeman when he opened the now-closed store, Total Sports, in Londonderry, New Hampshire, which supplied athletic apparel and equipment to both Pinkerton and LHS.

From there, the friendship continued to grow.

“I have known Mike Beeman since I was in eighth grade,” Sullivan said. “He owned a store that we all loved and worked at when we were kids. He also taught and coached in Londonderry for a long time.”

Beeman caught a break from excelling in athletics and started teaching full-time at LHS various subjects, including and not limited to business, economics, cross country, basketball and track. His love for Lancer Nation became even stronger, and his dedication increased as the days went on.

“Mike Beeman is in the LHS Hall of Fame for a reason,” Sullivan said. “He is a Lancer Legend. Back in the day, he was everyone’s favorite teacher and coach because he truly cared about all the Lancers.”

Beeman’s impact on students goes far beyond academics and athletics.

“He was the teacher here at LHS that everyone wanted to have class with,” Sullivan said. “He made classes fun, exciting and comfortable. He always supported all of the students in and out of the class. He was everyone’s biggest cheerleader.”

His influence on local athletes and students inspired an award that was created in his name to hone sportsmanship and competition between the rival schools.

“LHS and Pinkerton used to challenge each other for the Beeman Trophy in the spring athletics schedule, which was named after him due to his connections to both schools,” Sullivan said.

When Beeman races, he does so with dedication and discipline. Beeman has learned how to hold onto the adrenaline long after crossing the finish line.

“I feel like running gives me the sense of accomplishment because I’ve done something to start my day that’s fairly hard and also makes me feel stronger in terms of my physical health,” Beeman said.

Stepping over the finish line goes a mile beyond the kind of person Beeman is. The life lessons he has learned from running are all ways in which he has been shaped into a better person.

Beeman doesn’t only run for himself. He runs for the future.

“I want to impact the younger generation to show that anybody can move their body and it will benefit them when they get to be 70 years old,” Beeman said.

Sullivan said that students would flood Beeman’s classroom due to his positive, embracing vibes and his care for his students. Whether or not Beeman is changing lives in or out of his running shoes, Sullivan said he will always have a special place in Lancer Nation’s heart.

“He is simply a treasure and one that has made a difference in so many Lancers’ lives,” Sullivan said.

Each year, whether Sullivan tunes into the Boston Marathon or keeps up with social media, she has a special connection to watching her friend Beeman finish one marathon after the next.

“I cry watching the finishing line,” Sullivan said.

For Beeman, running is more than just exercise; it is a way to reset his mindset before taking on the demands of everyday life.

“Running is a vital part of my life both physically and spiritually,” Beeman said. “It puts me at ease, and I want to keep doing it until I can’t do it anymore. It’s a gift from God. I think every day that I can do it.”

This story was originally published on The Lancer Spirit on May 19, 2026.