This was the second installment in a series on Swampscott runners training for the Boston Marathon. We're running it again because the marathon is Monday.

Neil Bernstein will wear a yellow pole on his head when he runs the Boston Marathon  April 18.

It's a homemade replica of Fenway Park's famous right field foul pole, Pesky's Pole, named after Johnny Pesky, a Swampscott resident and former infielder for the Boston Red Sox. 

Bernstein first wore a Pesky's Pole hat to a New Year's Eve Party after the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004.

He also assumed the persona of the self-styled "idiots." These were carefree team members who helped the Red Sox come back from a three-game deficit to beat the Yankees four straight in the championship series and claim the pennant.

But it was the unique headgear that inspired smiles and laughter at the party — attended by Pesky family members.

The mirth gave birth to an idea: why not combine humor and running with fundraising?

So now Bernstein runs with Pesky's Pole to raise money for the Jimmy Fund.

While he hasn't raised a lot of funds, he has inspired others to run and raise money for good causes, he says.

Johnny Pesky loves the idea, too.