Second Lt. Alex Wallis, left, and 2nd Lt. Clay Anderson, right, bothstudents at The Basic School, escortrunner Jim Wahl up the road as he limps away from the finish line. Wahl placed 20th overall.
The Marine Corps Marathon has been called by many other names in its past including ‘‘The People’s Marathon” and ‘‘Armed Forces Marathon.” The bottom line is, it’s the Marine Corps Marathon, and without Marines it couldn’t exist.
The runners are the heart of the marathon, but the Marines are what make that heart beat.
In 2008, about 1,400 Marines and sailors supported the race and the tens of thousands of runners who participated.
‘‘Headquarters and Service Battalion has [more than] 2,500 Marines supporting this event,” said Maj. AlanSingleton, H&SBn adjutant. ‘‘We own this event.”
Quantico Marines flooded the marathon grounds providing support such as hospitality and security.
‘‘It’s a good tool for the Marine Corps,” said Master Sgt. Kevin Washington of Weapons Training Battalion. ‘‘Marines come out and show their support.”
Marines from WTBn, The Basic School and Expeditionary Warfare School supported the marathon with finish-line support.
‘‘When runners finish, we hand them water, [sports drinks] and light refreshments,” said Washington.
Many of the Marines supporting the marathon got started as early as two days in advance, and their energy and excitement remained strong throughout the event.
‘‘This is my third marathon,” said Singleton. ‘‘I love it. You can see the quality of people here. It makes me feel good to support these people.”
Soldiers, airmen, seamen, family, friends, local residents and spectators all come together to make the MCM the largest marathon in the world that does not offer monetary rewards.
‘‘It’s amazing — the dedication of the people,” said Washington. ‘‘It’s just a great atmosphere.”
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