Army Reservist wins Marine Corps Marathon; 90-year-old Marine finishes
October 31st, 2011 | Marine Corps Marathon Running | Posted by Phil Creed
Chad Ware is seen moments after he crossed the finish first to win the 36th Marine Corps Marathon. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Some 30,000 masochists runners wasted enjoyed Sunday’s georgous weather in Washington D.C. by taking part in the 36th Marine Corps Marathon. Among those running this year was The Price is Right host Drew Carey, a former Marine Corps reservist who was participating in his first marathon.
This year’s winner was Army Reserve 1st Lt. Charles Ware, who finished in 2:19:16, the best MCM finish since 1997.
Ware’s nearest competitor finished more than four minutes behind him.
Perhaps almost as impressive as Ware’s finish was the fact that retired Marine Col. Johnathan Mendes, 90, completed the race. Mendes, who earned a Distinguished Flying Cross in 1953 during the Korean War, was the race’s oldest participant.
“You only go around once,” Mendes told Military Times before the race. “Why not have some fun?”
Now that’s one tough Marine.
Marine Corps Marathon basics
October 27th, 2011 | After Action Marine Corps Marathon Running | Posted by Kevin Lilley
Runners race through the streets of Georgetown during the 2010 Marine Corps Marathon (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Reagan Lodge).
After Action wants to give a shout out to the tens of thousands of runners toeing the line at the 36th Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday. Here’s hoping the months of grueling long-runs pay off with a huge PR.
In town and thinking about watching the marathon? Aren’t sure when the gun goes off? Figure you’ll catch a Metro train and see where you end up? Don’t worry if you haven’t done your pre-race homework – event organizers have you covered.
The MCM folks have put out a special video guide for spectators with some viewer-friendly locations and race-watching tips. Metro opens at 5 a.m. on race day, with opening ceremonies slated for 7:30 a.m.
Organizers have even made it possible for the couch potato fans to follow the progress of a friend, a spouse or a fellow service member. Make sure both the runner and the fan base have registered for the marathon’s extensive social media network, which will track individual racers via Twitter and Facebook posts, and even send text messages. And if you’re doing the tweeting, add #36thMCM to be a part of the race-long conversation.
Ooh-rah Zoomie: LT wins Marine Corps Marathon
October 31st, 2010 | After Action Air Force Army Marine Corps Marine Corps Marathon Navy | Posted by Mike Hoffman
Air Force 2nd Lt. Jacob Bradosky of Centerville, Ohio, reacts as he wins the Marine Corps Marathon in Arlington, Va., Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010. (AP Photo)
ARLINGTON, Va. — Air Force 2nd Lt. Jacob Bradosky cruised across the National Mall and streaked into the lead at the infamous 20-mile marker to win the Marine Corps Marathon in 2 hours 23 minutes and 30 seconds, giving airmen a reason to brag come Monday morning at joint bases across the Defense Department.
Bradosky beat a field of 30,000 racers that included 4,385 active duty service members on an unseasonably warm Halloween morning in the National Capital region. Janet Cherobon, a Kenya native who is studying for American citizenship, won the women’s division in 2:39:16. Navy Lt. Gina Slaby, 29, stationed in Tucson, Ariz., for the Defense Contract Management Agency, finished second with a time of 2:46:58.
A junior officer at the 392nd Training Squadron, 381st Training Group at Vanderberg Air Force Base, Calif., Bradosky ran 5 minute and 28 second mile splits. For those airmen worried about the new physical fitness standards, Bradosky ran on pace to finish the first 1.5 miles in 8 minutes 12 seconds. Then he spent the rest of his Sunday morning running another 24.7 miles at the same pace before most airmen on the East Coast finished their morning coffee.
Marine 1st Lt. Sean Barrett saved face for the Corps, coming in third and finishing his first marathon 38 seconds behind Bradosky. Assigned to the 2nd Radio Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group, Camp Lejeune, N.C., Barrett started training in June after he returned from an Iraq deployment in the spring. Read the rest of this entry »
MMA fighter’s Marine background not everything it was said to be
May 8th, 2010 | Marine Corps Marathon Mixed martial arts | Posted by Phil Creed
Ken Alexander (Photo provided by Pure Combat)
Camp Pendleton hosted a free mixed martial arts show Friday night. The card included a number of former Marines, including Kenneth Alexander, who lost his fight by techinical knockout in the second round.
Turns out the loss may be the least of his problems right now.
A Marine Corps Times reader disputed published reports that said Alexander was a sniper, that he had deployed twice to Iraq and Afghanistan, and that he had served with the Special Forces. So Marine Corps Times spoke to the fighter earlier this week, and Alexander acknowledged that none of that was true, that he’d only deployed to Kuwait and Kyrgyzstan, and that he wasn’t a sniper. Alexander essentially blamed the media for misrepresenting his past. But a new video indicates that Alexander may have a little more explaining to do.
See the full story over at the Battle Rattle blog.
Satan, The Flash among notable 2009 Marine Corps Marathon participants
October 26th, 2009 | Marine Corps Marathon | Posted by Dan Lamothe
Marathons bring out all kinds of people.
In the case of the 2009 Marine Corps Marathon, that includes a mix of superheroes, demons and other ghouls, including — you guessed it — Satan.
Don’t take my word for it, though. Here’s visual proof, via Flickr user Bobby Gill:
That’s really a lovely pair of shorts that Satan has on, I think.
Looking for more? How about everyone’s favorite superhero, The Flash?
See that sign? Even superheroes thank their Marines.
Then, there’s this next guy. I have no idea what prompts a person to dress like this in public, but it’s really quite impressive.
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OK, help a brother out: Who IS this next guy? Is this a costume of significance and I just don’t get it? Please explain…
Were you at the marathon? Take any similarly ridiculous photos? Drop me a line at dlamothe (at) militarytimes.com.
UPDATE: A reader suggests that our anonymous superhero in photo No. 4 may very well be paying homage to the Space Marines of “Halo” fame. That sounds entirely plausible, and also makes me suspect it’s an actual Marine inside the suit.
Photos used with permission by Bobby Gill. All Rights Reserved.
Marine Corps Marathon heads to Afghanistan
October 20th, 2009 | After Action Marine Corps Marathon | Posted by
Maj. Lauren Edwards (left) and 1st Lt. Erin Demchko stretch prior to a workout Sept. 26 aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan. The two All-Marine Running Team members kept each other motivated while training for the 2009 Marine Corps Marathon. (Gunnery Sgt. Kimberly Leone / Marine Corps)
If you think the Marine Corps Marathon is tough, try kicking up clouds of sand as you run 3,000 feet above sea level.
That’s exactly what Maj. Lauren Edwards, who is assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 2 at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, and her fellow All-Marine Running Teammate, 1st Lt. Erin Demchko, have been training to do.
After months of grueling training, Demchko returned to the U.S. last month, but Edwards remained behind working with Brigade headquarters Group, 5th Battalion, 10th Marines to receive approval for a satellite Marine Corps Marathon at Camp Leatherneck.
Looks like her wish was granted. From a Marine Corps release:
I was skeptical about how it would be received due to our very high op tempo at the time, but the [commanding general] was extremely enthusiastic about the idea. Not only did he give me the green light, but he also encouraged me to make the event as big as possible.
The 26.2 mile race will wind around Camp Leatherneck, Camp Bastion and the flight line in Helmand province.
Edwards is working with organizers of the official Marine Corps Marathon to ensure the satellite race is recognized and participants’ scores are recorded.