Motivated runners from across the U.S. and world ran in the 48th Marine Corps Marathon in D.C. and Arlington, Virginia, on Sunday.
More than 23,000 runners from all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico and 63 countries were registered to run in the “The People’s Marathon”, organizers said in a release. MCM Weekend featured events from Friday to Saturday, including the 26.2-mile marathon and a 50K ultramarathon.
The number of runners was nearly double the amount of last year's in-person return following the pandemic, organizers said.
Race winners
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The winner of the marathon was Julius Kogo, of Durham, North Carolina. His run was 2 hours, 25 minutes and 56 seconds. That's a 5 minute and 34 second mile pace, according to the marathon's tracker.
"Next year God willing, I'll be here to lower that time. So...the course was very nice," Kogo said.
Bonnie Keating, of Fairfax County, Virginia, won the women's marathon. Her run was 2 hours, 50 minutes and 49 seconds.
The winner of the 50K was Calum Neff, of Houston, Texas. His run was 2 hours, 55 minutes and 57 seconds, breaking the Marathon’s 50K record. It was the first time he's run in the Marine Corps Marathon.
“I’m feeling not too bad, of course, a win helps keep the runner’s high going,” Neff said.
He said this was a training run for him as he prepares for a longer race. He's previously done 50K's and raced with Team Canada.
"It's absolutely incredible, the organization with the marines," Neff said.
'Challenge ourselves'
Before the race, News4 spoke to people about why they ran.
Marine Corps Sgt. Major Carlos Ruiz, who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Japan, said it was his first Marine Corps Marathon. He ran with his wife.
“All the marines out here, about 2,000 of them, mingling with the American people and veterans is pretty awesome," Ruiz said. "I am actually praying that their motivation carries me through.”
He appeared to be happy and chill, but said he was actually "terrified" for the race. He trained by running around the monuments in D.C.
Down at mile 18, News4 spoke to Heather Kelly who was running with the Travis Manion Foundation. She said she is running for her late husband First Lt. Robert Kelly who was killed while serving in Afghanistan in 2010.
“Come out, have fun, challenge ourselves in their memory,” Kelly said.
Kelly first came to the marathon the year after her husband was killed. She's run every year since 2012 and said she comes back for the positive energy.
"It feels good, you know, you don't want to be sad all the time when you are remembering your loved ones," Kelly said.
This year's runners kept that energy up. One runner dressed as Wonder Woman and others carried flags. There were also high fives and smiles caught on video.
News4's Chuck Bell beat his personal best in the 10K race.
"There’s my best girl Izah live on tv with me this morning ahead of the @Marine_Marathon and 10k. I finished 7 seconds AHEAD of last year’s time!" Chuck Bell wrote on X.
The weather was warm and humid with temperatures in the 60s during the race, according to Storm Team4. Bell described the temperature as "super mild."
