Author, Marine Corps Marathon A Running Tradition

On Sunday, October 26, 2008 there will be thousands of runners taking to the streets to celebrate the 33rd annual Marine Corps Marathon. To some it will be another Sunday run but for the vast majority there will be a purpose. The popularity of the race has increased as a loyal following developed. Each event has a soul and a friend, Joy Koenig summed things up, "the heart of the race is in the heart of the runners". It is a sense of duty, honor, and tradition which will fill the ranks on marathon morning. The race will stir the heart and the emotions.

You will not have the time to memorize all of the training tips from the last several weeks as you must rely upon your instincts and the strength of your faith. You can cram for an exam but not for a marathon and patience will be your friend. The stories of the past helped to shape the future:

"It was not the kind of race I had planned to run. About midway through the race the orthotics I had in my shoe began pressing on the nerve in my foot. Instead of taking a few minutes to untie the knots in my laces, I ran on the side of my foot. Of course I slowed my pace down and finished with a time of 3:05:35 in pain", stated Peggy (Kokernot) Kaplan the third place finisher in 1978.

She adds, "For me, racing the marathon was different than just running to finish. It wasn't about winning or losing the race but doing my best on a specific day, reaching deep within to make a good goal, to challenge myself unlike any other physical endeavor I had tried before but still I should have stopped and untied the knot. So I was a little stubborn or stupid at that moment. We all make mistakes. In the finish line chute my spirits were lifted when a nice Marine approached and asked if he could stand in line for me so he could get me something to eat and drink. Never had I had this happen before in a race".

The year prior Kokernot participated in the National Women's Convention in Houston, Texas on November 18, 1977 where she ran as a part of a team carrying a torch from Seneca Falls, New York to Houston. During the opening ceremony a TIME magazine photographer took a picture which later was on the front cover of TIME, the December 5, 1977 issue.

The other part of the story is from Kitty Consolo, "I really liked he Marine Corps marathon and I felt confident that I could break three hours. However, at 14 miles, the back of my sock slipped down and I could feel the back of my heel starting to rub. I didn't want to stop and lose time so I kept going. Finally with a mile to go, and I took a quick look at my shoe and it was covered with blood from heel to toe. I felt queasy and started slowing a bit but wasn't too concerned as I had been running a strong second place overall woman. As we neared the final hill, a woman (Kokernot) and a man passed me and he turned to he woman and said, "You can get her now, she's done". That comment really got me mad and I found some extra energy and ended up finishing by just two seconds ahead of her. Once I finished, I could hardly walk due to my heel. A very nice Marine carried me to an aid station".

In the opening miles there will the sounds of yelling "Ooh- Rah!" a Marine expression of enthusiasm. Between miles 11-15 the anxiety starts to rise as this is when the first thoughts of wanting to stop and walk enter the mid. There is the fear of not being able to complete the race and the dread that the months of physical and mental preparation invested were wasted. However, you assure yourself that in the absence of debilitating pain, there in no reason not to continue.

The excitement from the start line is on the decline in miles 16-20 as you fill the void with questions. Am I hydrating? How do my legs feel? When and what will hitting the wall feel like? Fatigue sets in as a result of dehydration and carbohydrate depletion and included is depletion of muscle fuels, low blood glucose, increased lactic acid levels and central fatigue.

At miles 21-24, the muscle fatigue has set in as your pre-race energy supply has been exhausted. Each time your foot strikes it feels like three times your normal body weight and all of your muscles share the pain. The devastating muscle cramps place your finish in jeopardy. It is decision time once again. The will to finish overrides the body and you may alternate between walking and jogging to push forward.

During the last 2.2 miles the remaining runners are now along Route 110 and many are down to a slow jog or walking, trying to overcome the calf cramps that have begun to navigate up the leg into the hamstring. The pain is hard to describe but it is real. The enthusiasm of the crowd reaches a crescendo, strangers are cheering you on, and their words of encouragement that "there is a little more to go, you are almost there", ring in your ears. Reaching the finish line is the only thing on your mind. You are up the hill at Marshall Road, you see the clock and you see the seconds tick away as you suck up the pain. Your brilliant effort ends as you cross under the MCM "Finish" arch. You did your business and left it all out on the road. Victory is yours.

The Marine Corps Marathon has many levels and you can learn about the Architects of the Vision (Col. Fowler, MG Ryan, Ambassador Middendorf, Joe Rosenthal, SSgt B. Genaust), the Ad Hoc Publicity Committee, and the Birth of the Community Involvement. How did other aspects of the race evolve, Special Olympics, the Ground Pounders, the Challenge Cup, the Armed Forces Competition? You can read some of the stories from 1976 through 2006 as over one hundred runners and supporters were interviewed. Read about the Hall of Fame recipients.

The extended Marine Corps marathon family includes the charity partners, spectators, runners, relatives, volunteers, sponsors, and the community.

The decision to write this book stemmed from a love of the military (I am a retired Air Force reservist and the Historian on the Ad Hoc Publicity Committee of the Marine Corps marathon) and having grown up around the Marines and for the passion developed for the sport of running. I ran my first Marine Corps Marathon in 1983 and this year will be my 25th running. I will join the thousand of other runners who will be on the streets for all of the right reasons.

My best wishes for a safe and swift race and as you pass race number 25 say "Good Job" and I'll reply with the same. - George Banker

For information on his book go to www.mcmhistory.com. If you wish to share a story send a note to George Banker.