This past weekend, I crossed the finish line of the 51st Marine Corps Marathon. It marked my ninth marathon in as many states. My goal is to run one in all 50. Although most of the course weaves through the District of Columbia, it counts for Virginia since it begins and ends in Arlington.
The Marine Corps Marathon is known as “The People’s Marathon” because it’s the largest marathon in the world that doesn’t offer prize money. There are no elite appearance fees and no cash for the winners. The race exists for everyday runners, and you can feel that from the start line to the finish.
What makes it truly special is the Marines themselves. They staff the water stations, cheer from the sidelines, and keep the whole event running with remarkable precision. They’re also waiting at the finish. After 26 miles, runners climb a short but brutal hill to the Marine Corps War Memorial, where a Marine places the medal around your neck. It’s a powerful conclusion to the race.
I’ve logged plenty of miles in Crystal City and DC, and the National Mall is one of my favorite places to run anywhere in the country. However, running those familiar streets with thousands of other runners and crowds lining the course felt completely different. One of the most moving stretches is the Blue Mile, a section of the course along Hains Point lined with photos of fallen service members. It’s impossible to run through it without feeling the gravity of what it represents.
This wasn’t my fastest marathon, and that was by design. In many ways, I approached it as another long training run since my next marathon, the Williams Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is just four weeks away. This year’s race serves as the official closing event for Tulsa’s yearlong Route 66 Centennial Celebration, and for the first time it will start directly on the historic highway. State number ten is right around the corner, and we’re looking forward to exploring the Mother Road during its centennial as we travel to the race.
