Our pace leader ran us through the half in 1:33:36. With a little time in the bank, our chances of crossing the finish line with a Boston Qualifying time were looking good. We ran back toward the National Mall along the Washington Canal and under the cherry trees lining the Tidal Basin. Marie and Ford found me again around the National Mall.

The Marine Corps Marathon finishes on a small climb up to the Iwo Jima Monument

I got really thirsty during my run around the National Mall.

The marathon route took us across the I-395 and National Rt. 1 Rochambeau Memorial Bridge at mile 20. I dropped back a little from the pace group and ate the sport beans I had grabbed from an aid station at mile 19. Anne, my Ironman friend, hollered out to me from where she was standing at mile 26. I crossed the finish in 3:09:09, and received my finisher medal, proud to have qualified anew for Boston!

Ford fired up the grill and we ate bratwursts from Wegman’s with our cousin Russell who drove up from town to join us for the meal.

Marie and I slept in Monday morning and ate a leisurely breakfast before going into town.

Read the full report at the following link.

2008 MCM