Swampscott man to don Pesky’s Pole at Boston Marathon run for charity

SWAMPSCOTT – Neil’s Pesky Pole Marathon Run – a crazy idea that has mushroomed over the years and is even endorsed by “Mr. Red Sox” Johnny Pesky – will take place again this Marathon Monday.Neil Bernstein, who is known as “The Snail,” said he can’t take credit for the Pesky Pole idea because his son, who was inspired by the 2004 Boston Red Sox World Series Championship win and Mark Bellhorn’s Pesky Pole home run, wore a miniature, cardboard Pesky Pole hat for Halloween.Bernstein, who readily admitted he has a reputation for being an entertainer and marching to a slightly different drummer, said he decided to run the 2006 Boston Marathon with a miniature Pesky Pole on his head.In 2007 Bernstein decided to run in support of the Jimmy Fund, which is an official charity of the Boston Red Sox. Bernstein went to visit Pesky, who also resides in Swampscott, and got his blessing to run the Boston Marathon with the replica of Pesky’s Pole.On Friday morning, Pesky said he is pleased Pesky’s Pole has become an annual tradition in the Boston Marathon and that it is being used to raise money for the Jimmy Fund.”It’s very flattering,” he said. “I salute the young man for his efforts.”Bernstein’s Pesky’s Pole is constructed from a yellow painter’s hat, a yellow plastic book cover, a plastic ball, a wire hanger, plastic wire ties, safety pins, tape and thread.Bernstein started his Boston Marathon career as a “bandit,” pacing a good friend, in 2000 and 2001. Since getting his own bib number and entering as a runner in 2002, Bernstein has been both the oldest and fastest marathoner from Swampscott.Don’t let the nickname “The Snail” fool you because Bernstein is an elite runner.”I used to be ranked one of the 259 marathon runners in the country,” he said. “My junior and senior years (of high school) I was the fourth fastest runner in Los Angeles.”Bernstein said he got the nickname from a high school girlfriend, who was trying to be as sarcastic as he is known for being.”I was a sarcastic guy,” he said. “I used to go to football games and cheer for other team until I got tossed out. Because I was always so sarcastic, my girlfriend gave me the nickname being sarcastic and it stuck.”But Bernstein could find himself running a little slower in this race because, this year, Passover coincides with the running of the Boston Marathon, which is problematic for some Jewish runners who have modified their diets.Bernstein, who described himself as a reformed Jew, said dietary restrictions are a personal choice for him.”I personally do not eat bread during Passover week,” he said. “I eat Matzah bread during Passover. It’s like cardboard and really heavy. For those trying to run a serious race it could be a serious issue. It could weigh them down. We’re having our Passover feast on Saturday night and I’ll carb up.”Bernstein, who is a serious competitive runner, said the Boston Marathon is a time for him to just cut loose and have fun.”I’m running the Boston Marathon for fun,” he said. “If my time is five minutes longer that’s OK because I’m going to have a good time. I’ll still hear the chants of “Pesky, Pesky” when I do cross the finish line.”To learn more about the Pesky Pole in the Boston Marathon and how to donate to the Jimmy Fund, visit www.peskypolemarathon.org.Checks may also be sent to The Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7295. Please make the check out to The Jimmy Fund, with “Pesky Pole Marathon” in the memo field.