Thousands of runners are clogging 26.2 miles of pavement in D.C. and Arlington, Virginia, for the 49th annual Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday morning. With the race comes dozens of road closures, crowds of cheering spectators and more than a few emotional tears.
The marathon is a big deal, but for some runners, it's more than just a race — it's a pilgrimage, a dedication to a cause, or a chance to make a statement about resilience. For others, it's a chance to do something they never thought they could do.
Marine Corps Marathon: Father-Son Duo Set to Conquer 26.2 Miles in Arlington
Accompanying the thousands of runners this year is a father-son duo ready to conquer 26.2 miles. Mike Wardian, a seasoned ultra-marathon runner, will be running the marathon with his son Pierce, who is set to run his first-ever marathon. The 18-year-old high school student at H-B Woodlawn in Arlington, Virginia, is a cross-country runner, and his father is an accomplished distance runner who is a previous winner of the Marine Corps Marathon 50k and a podium finisher at the Marine Corps Marathon.
Mike Wardian, a Teva-sponsored athlete, completed his first marathon in the 1996 Marine Corps Marathon event. He’s completed a coast-to-coast run covering three thousand, two hundred miles in sixty-one days in 2022. On Oct. 1, he completed a north-south transit of the nearly two thousand, two hundred-mile Appalachian Trail in sixty days.
The father-son duo has a special bond, forged through a shared passion for running and strengthened by their unique experience. Mike is excited for Pierce to run his first marathon, but Pierce is excited for a different reason: he wants to race his father to the finish line. This familial rivalry adds a layer of excitement to their journey.
A Touching Marathon Story of Veteran Support
For some runners, the marathon is about more than finishing the race or achieving a personal best. It’s about giving back. Jeffrey Mellenthin, an Air Force veteran, is running the marathon to raise money for Semper Fi & America's Fund, a nonprofit organization that gives financial assistance to wounded veterans.
Giving Back to a Cause
After serving in the Air Force for 20 years, Mellenthin suffered a back injury that progressively grew worse, requiring several back surgeries. He later suffered a stroke that limited his mobility and eventually left him fully disabled. Mellenthin dedicated his life to caring for his fellow servicemembers, and now he’s running the marathon to support them.
The Marine Corps Marathon is a race of dedication, strength, and perseverance. It's a race that brings together people from all walks of life, united by a common goal. For some, it’s a test of physical endurance, while for others, it’s a chance to give back and support a cause close to their hearts.
The People’s Marathon
The Marine Corps Marathon has earned the title of “The People’s Marathon” for a reason: it’s one of the largest marathons in the world that doesn’t offer prize money. It's a race that attracts everyone, from seasoned marathoners to first-timers. It's a race that celebrates the spirit of human resilience, the power of community, and the unwavering support of the United States Marine Corps.
The 49th annual Marine Corps Marathon is more than just a race — it's a testament to human potential. It's a celebration of hard work, determination, and compassion. It's a race that inspires us all to push our limits, to embrace challenges, and to make a difference in the world.
And as the finish line approaches, one thing is certain: the experience of the Marine Corps Marathon will stay with the runners, spectators, and volunteers long after the race is over, serving as a reminder that we are all capable of extraordinary things.
