ARLINGTON, Va. — The weather was nearly picture-perfect — a crisp fall day. Unlike last year, it wasn’t too hot, which may have helped many runners cross the finish line faster, particularly some first time racers.
“My husband always supports me in my ventures, so I’m supporting his venture of basically killing himself,” said Krista Kern.
For Kern, running 26.2 miles isn’t easy to imagine, but the marathon is known as a true test of endurance.
“I’m not a runner, but he is. He’s been doing the runs, and I’ve been doing 5Ks with him. That’s the extent of my running,” she said.
Her husband, Michael Kern, a Marine veteran and staff member with Semper Fi & America’s Fund, has had this marathon on his bucket list for some time. He finished it in about 7 hours.
“Amazing, but never again,” Michael Kern said.
Kern joined thousands in what’s affectionately called the People’s Marathon, the largest marathon in the world that offers no prize money.
We asked why he's running with his organization, he told us, "it brings awareness to all the Marines who don’t get enough funding and that kind of stuff through the VA, and it provides amazing things for them."
Some of that support comes through rehab programs involving sports or events that build community. Though you don’t need to be a Marine to participate, strong legs certainly help.
After 26.2 miles through Washington’s neighborhoods, landmarks, and memorials, many runners felt inspired by the service members they honored — and proud of their personal achievements.9