BOSTON – Matt Dunlap knew the warning before he lined up Monday for his first Boston Marathon.

Don’t start too fast.

As is all too easy to do, the former Mt. Blue standout and Bates College All Ameican got caught up in the excitement.

While he said he paid for it later, Dunlap perservered through the final six miles and crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 38 minutes, 24 seconds as the 153rd finisher out of more than 26,000 starters.

“I don’t think I ever hit a wall, but I definitely slowed down more than I anticipated I would,” Dunlap said.

Dunlap was the only local runner to finish the marathon in under 3 hours. Steven McCarthy of Greene was next fastest at 3:12:12.

Running in just his second marathon, Dunlap credited Matthew Frongillo of Bar Harbor with helping to pick him up during the race as the duo ran together for more than 10 miles. The two had also paired up in Dunlap’s first marathon last fall in Portland.

Frongillo went on to finish 94th overall Monday in 2:34:29.

Dunlap, 22, said he was also lifted by the many friends and former rivals in the New England running community from his days at Mt. Blue and Bates, who lined the course along the 26.2-mile route.

Just hours after the race, Dunlap said that he came out of the race healthier than last year’s marathon. He credited using a heavier shoe, which gave him more support.

“It was definitely fun to be part of Boston,” Dunlap said.

He is looking forward to an active summer racing schedule. Dunlap is also serving as a volunteer assistant track coach at Greely High School.