2025 Marine Corps Marathon

“Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s the presence of trust.”

These words from my pre-race devotional echoed through my mind as I stepped out into the cool darkness of morning, ready to run the 50th annual Marine Corps Marathon. Before leaving our house, I peeked in on my little girl —just three years old—sleeping peacefully in her bed, and my heart swelled. I always feel a tug of guilt racing on a Sunday morning instead of going to church with my family, so I spent some extra time in prayer—asking for their safety during worship, for protection over all 30,000 runners, and for God to be glorified today. Psalm 31:24 reminded me to “be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” That verse would go on to carry me from the quiet stillness of my home all the way to the finish line at the Iwo Jima Memorial.

Pre-Race

My scheduled Uber driver showed up five minutes early, which I took as a good sign. Traffic was building near the Pentagon, but we made it in plenty of time. I got dropped off around 6:15AM and joined the long stream of runners walking toward the start. The 30-minute trek turned into the perfect warm-up. Along the way I met Mike, a three-time Yeti 100 finisher—easy to spot thanks to his Yeti tattoo. It’s always fun meeting Yetis in the wild! I also paused to take in the pre-sunrise view of the monuments—seeing them all lit up across the water was really cool.

Eventually I made my way to the starting village where I caught part of Marc Goldman’s pre-race program. Listening to the stories from the very first Marine Corps Marathon in 1975, I thought of my dear brothers in Christ Bob Kelso and Greg Adams—both tied to that original race—and learned that three of the inaugural runners were toeing the line again this year. Pretty incredible! Hearing Marines share post-9/11 reflections on the big screen was also deeply moving.

As my watch neared 7AM, I jogged the last stretch to the starting line in a mild panic (pro tip: the corrals are long), slipping into the red wave with the 3:30 pace group just in time. I chatted with a seasoned runner who has completed every Air Force Marathon (28) and has several sub-3 hour MCM finishes. Talk about humbling company. Then came the cannon blast—and we were off!

Miles 1–10: The Georgetown Surge and Rock Creek

The first mile was pure gridlock, but once things opened up, I really let the legs go. I glanced at my watch around mile 2 and saw a 6:55 pace flash across the screen. NICE.

The course rolled gently downhill, and everything felt light and easy. Georgetown was electric—crowds five deep, cowbells ringing, and more signs than I could read. The energy there helped me clock my fastest mile of the day (7:19) at mile 4. I couldn’t stop smiling, and hearing Eminem blaring through the speakers of a DJ in front of one of the stores got me super fired up. Of all the marathons I have done, the Marine Corps crowd support ranks right behind New York City. By the time we hit Rock Creek Parkway, I had pulled comfortably ahead of the 3:30 pacers. But at mile 9, the narrow section bottlenecked and I got swallowed back into the crowd. It was frustrating not being able to pass, but I made up for it once we hit Hains Point.

Mile 12: The Wear Blue Mile

Nothing prepares you for the Wear Blue Mile. One moment you’re running; the next, you’re weeping. Lining the course are thousands of photos, the faces of the fallen—young Marines, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers who gave everything. As I ran I thought of my grandfather Derwood Wright, a man that I never got to meet, who served in the 6th Marine Division in Okinawa during World War II.  I saw Pat Tillman’s photo, then others of smiling dads with kids on their shoulders that were probably my daughter's age, and I just lost it. God bless every single one of them. Their courage and sacrifice are what make races like this possible.

Miles 13–20: Heart of D.C.

Crossing the half marathon mark in 1:43:52, I was still on pace for a sub-3:40 finish and feeling strong. The National Mall experience was everything I hoped it would be—running past the Capitol, the reflecting pool, and the Washington Monument from different angles was unforgettable. As I ran past the Department of Labor I noted the two enormous banners—one of President Trump, and another of former President Teddy Roosevelt (one of my all-time favorites due to his passion for fitness, conservation, establishment of national parks, and "Man in the Arena" speech)—each declaring “American Workers First" with a 250th anniversary logo. Somewhere in the heart of D.C., I ran alongside a guy wearing an American/Israel flag combination, both nations stitched together into one. I also passed the National Gallery of Art, the Museum of African American History, and many other iconic buildings, surrounded by rich history and freedom on every side. All of these moments filled me with a deep sense of patriotric pride.

Another fun part of the race was yelling "GO HOKIES!" in response to specators yelling when they noticed I was wearing Virginia Tech gear. Hokie Nation was out in force all day long!

The spectator signs were a big highlight too—“You’re running better than the government!” was clearly the crowd favorite (we’re four weeks into the shutdown, after all). Others like “Run like you just robbed the Louvre” and “Worst Halloween parade ever” had me laughing out loud. My personal favorite? A sign next to a dog that read, “All these months of training and you’re still slower than me.” I couldn’t help but think of Bud, my faithful running buddy back home.

Miles 20–26.2: Pain and Perspective to Finish

Things started to unravel after mile 20. The side cramps hit hard, and a sharp pain in my left foot felt a little too much like the onset of a stress fracture. I also dropped my only caffeinated gel - my secret weapon for the last 10K - at one of the water stations. Ouch! Still I pressed on, remembering that "courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s the presence of trust.” Trusting in my training and preparation, and fully trusting in my Savior to sustain me allowed me to continue.

The 3:35 group passed me around mile 18, and then the 3:45 pacer caught me in the final 5K. I wasn’t happy about it, but I dug down deep and charged ahead. Mile 25 was my slowest of the day (10:49), but I refused to quit. As we climbed toward the finish, I found myself stride-for-stride with a woman in a full American flag running kit—stars, stripes, and all. It felt like a visual reminder of what this race represents: courage, unity, and freedom lived out in motion. The last .2 miles up the hill to the Iwo Jima Memorial was an equal mix of agony and pure joy. High-fiving Marines as they lined the finish chute gave me chills. That final stretch will stay with me forever.

The Numbers

Finish time: 3:46:09

4,161st place out of 30,130

Half marathon split: 1:43:52

Fastest mile: 7:19 (mile 4)

Slowest mile: 10:49 (mile 25)

Nutrition, Supplementation, and Hydration Strategy

Pre-race: Happy Tot bar (from my daughter), 2 scoops ON Amino Energy

Race: Hammer gel every10K, SaltStick FastChews, and plenty of water + Pedialyte/NuuN

Gratitude and Glory

What a day. From praying in the dark to making new friends to crossing the finish surrounded by heroes, the Marine Corps Marathon lived up to its nickname: The People’s Marathon. There’s no prize money, no elites—just tens of thousands of ordinary people chasing extraordinary goals under the watch of the world’s finest Marines.

I would be remiss for concluding without expressing my deep appreciation to the countless law enforcement officers and first responders who kept us safe and supported every mile of the 2025 Marine Corps Marathon course. From the Arlington County Police, the U.S. Capitol Police, and the U.S. Park Police to the many others working tirelessly behind the scenes, their presence, professionalism, and encouragement did not go unnoticed. Seeing so many of them along the route—standing guard, directing traffic, cheering runners—was deeply reassuring and inspiring.

The race swag was equally impressive and thoughtfully designed. The medal itself is a striking, weighty piece that perfectly embodies the spirit and pride of the Marine Corps. The 50th anniversary logo on the black long-sleeve technical running tee adds a sense of legacy and distinction, far more than just another race shirt. The black fleece blanket, also featuring the 50th logo, is a keepsake I will treasure for years to come - a warm reminder of an unforgettable experience. I especially appreciated the post-race ponchos, which featured a bold “Superman” emblem on the back —a fitting touch for a day that made every finisher feel like a hero. And, as a bonus, my daughter was overjoyed when she discovered that I had brought home a small stash of Bobo’s stuffed oat bites (which, to her delight, look just like little muffins - her favorite!).

This was a day that celebrated everything I love most: faith, family, fitness, and freedom. To run through our nation’s capital, cheered on by those who serve it, is a privilege I will never take for granted. This is now my hometown race, and someday I hope to run it again with my daughter. Until then, Semper Fi, Marines. And thank you for reminding us all what courage really looks like.