49th Annual Marine Corps Marathon Brings Thousands of Racers to the Streets of DC and Arlington
Marines, civilians, and runners from all walks of life came together on Sunday for the 49th annual Marine Corps Marathon.
The race, which began in 1976 with just 1,200 runners, has grown into one of the world's largest marathons, with more than 30,000 participants this year. The course winds through iconic landmarks in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Virginia, including the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Pentagon.This year's race was especially meaningful for the Marine Corps, as it marked the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Belleau Wood, a key battle in World War I in which the Marines played a major role.
The race also served as a fundraiser for the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships to the children of Marines and Navy corpsmen.
The race was won by two former U.S. Olympians, Amy Cragg and Galen Rupp.
Cragg, who won the bronze medal in the marathon at the 2016 Olympics, finished with a time of 2:27:03. Rupp won the silver medal in the marathon at the 2012 Olympics and finished with a time of 2:10:37.
The top male and female finishers in the wheelchair division were Daniel Romanchuk and Tatyana McFadden, respectively.
Romanchuk, who won the silver medal in the marathon at the 2016 Paralympics, finished with a time of 1:29:07. McFadden, who has won 17 Paralympic medals, finished with a time of 1:43:08.
The Marine Corps Marathon is one of the most prestigious marathons in the world, and it is a testament to the dedication and camaraderie of the Marine Corps that the race has been held for 49 years.
