Race before the Storm: My Marine Corp Marathon Experience

It was a Sunday, last year, right before the biggest hurricane to hit the east coast since 1972.  Thousands of runners were gearing up for the Marine Corp Marathon, a 26.2 mile race that weaves around the Washington, D.C. monuments. The cool morning air was perfect weather for running; the temperature only rose up to 50 degrees.  Unbeknown to me at the start, I was about to run my fastest time yet, accomplishing a sub-four hour marathon. 

The Marine Corp Marathon is a fantastic race that shows the organizational skills of the men and women of the United States Marines as well as the tireless effort of the thousands of runners going from start to finish.  It really showcases the best of the human spirit and the will to endure great hardship for victory.

It was six in the morning, and I awoke from my sleep, feeling nervous about the race. I knew I could complete a marathon; I had finished two in previous years. But this was my first in Washington, D.C.  I knew the basic idea of where the course took its participants and had walked near some of the monuments in previous years.  But it hardly prepared an experienced runner for a long journey such as this marathon.

The Marine Corp Marathon started in November of 1976 to, “to promote community goodwill, showcase the Marine Corps, serve as a recruiting tool and finally, to give local Marines an opportunity to qualify for the legendary Boston Marathon,” as described in a memo from Colonel Jim Fowler. It’s the fourth largest marathon in the United States, and the largest marathon in the world that does not offer prize money for its victors. Today, there are over five hundred marathons across the globe.

As thousands of runners walked past the pentagon toward the starting line, anticipation seemed to catch on like wildfire. Everyone was chatting about their personal best times, double-checking their watches and smartphones for GPS signals, and, at least that year, worried about the impending storm known as Hurricane Sandy.

It was a weird feeling, knowing that a storm is approaching, especially with some spectators creating quick signs, saying “Beat the Storm”.  Luckily, it did not start raining until later that evening; plenty of time for all of the 24,000 runners to pass the finish line. However, the atmosphere of the event, thanks to the impending hurricane, created an excitement and energy out of all the runners that I had not experienced in my previous races.

The starting time was rapidly approaching, and the starting guns for runners began at precisely 7:55am.  Due to the enormous number of runners, it took at least 15-20 minutes to actually cross the starting line and begin the race.

Starting the first couple, miles should have been a breeze, except for the steep road after running underneath a highway.  In a way, my legs were used to his torture, thanks to my house located at the bottom of a steep half-mile road.  Conquering that early obstacle gave myself a morale boost, for sure.

The next ten or so miles took us through a park, past hundreds of lush trees.  The path was a roller coaster of ups and down, and I felt relaxed as I let gravity pull me down the hilly roads.  After escaping the foliage of trees, the path leads to a couple miles of a marine memorial, with deceased soldiers written on the road below.  It is an uplifting moment, as if all the runners are taking up their torch and finishing the race for them.

Runners are a diverse group of people. Spanning various ages, ethnicities, cultures, and athletic levels, running is enjoyed by over one million people in this country alone. 

The race weaves around the White House, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and all of the famous buildings and landmarks that make up the center of American politics and government.  Spectators are plentiful as all the runners pass by these landmarks and buildings.  It is very difficult to stop or slow down in plain view of the cheering crowd all around. The crowd lifts the spirits of everyone involved.

The troubling part of the race occurs around mile 19, when the road leads to an empty highway over a large lake; traffic is blocked by police for the race.  There is no cheering crowd surrounding the race, no scenery besides the road; just yourself and the other runners. At this point in the race, it is all about perseverance.  The marathon organizers actually have a phrase for this point in the race... “Beat the Bridge”.

For those runners that succeed in conquering the bridge, a huge crowd awaits as the final six miles signals the near end to the race. You can see a glimmer of hope in all the runner’s faces. It’s almost over. Triumph is only a few more miles away.

I was smiling, a weak, tired smile, during this point of the race. I was running faster than I had ever run. Hope and perseverance were crucial. I knew I could do it.

But near the last half mile, the road led to another huge, uphill road that was considerably steeper than the first. It was certainly a challenge that demanded a lot out of my already weak legs. It was tough, and I am sure it was hard for every runner that day. I ran up that hill faster than ever, looking at the finishing clock.

Its big, green numbers glowed, showing all the finishing runners that time had elapsed 3:52. I was ecstatic; only a few hundred meters to go. I was going to achieve a time that I thought I would never accomplish: a sub-four hour marathon.

I sprinted with all the energy I had left, which wasn’t much. Reaching my hand in the air as I passed the finish line, I smiled and thanked the volunteer giving out water near the end of the race. It was possibly the happiest moment so far in my life. All of us had “beat the storm”.

Finishing a marathon is a huge accomplishment for anyone. It is a long, 26.2-mile journey that will test your perseverance, stamina, and will to finish.  Millions of people accomplish this feat every year, usually going back to their regular lives afterward. They are superheros in their own right. Will you run the Marine Corp Marathon next year?