MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT/EASTERN RECRUITING REGION PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- -- Scattered throughout 18,000 runners who participated in the 27th Marine Corps Marathon were 1,469 Marines. Of those, 12 runners call Parris Island home.
Most of the runners had made the trip to fulfill a lifetime goal of running in the Marine Corps marathon.
"Running a marathon was a personal goal, and especially running in the Marine Corps marathon. It was awe inspiring," said Staff Sgt. Christopher Diem, Naval Criminal Investigative Service special agent.
Even though the Parris Island runners encompassed a wide variety of experience and training, they all agreed on one thing. Quitting was not an option.
"I just told myself, 'Don't quit, no matter what, never give up,' and I kept going," said Staff Sgt. Stacie Black, Fiscal NCOIC, who was running in her first marathon.
"The crowd support was just awesome," agreed Staff Sgt. Deborah Hamner, Staff NCOIC, music library, Parris Island Marine Band. "Any time I got tired I would just listen to the crowd cheering me on or the support of the other runners-especially former military who were wearing shirts that said things like, 'Be all that you used to be,' and 'once a Marine, always a Marine.'"
For some of the runners, the race brought back memories.
"I ran in the first Marine Corps Marathon 26 years ago," said Col. Gary Supnick, H&S Bn. commanding officer. "This time was almost completely different. In the first race, there were about 1,200 people running and many times along the racecourse you were alone and running. This time, there was someone cheering you on everywhere you went."
The race path led runners through 26.2 miles of some of the best sites Washington, D.C. has to offer.
"We got to see all of downtown D.C. We ran through the Veterans' Memorial and past the Iwo Jima monument," said Hamner. "As a Marine running by that, you realize you're running for something more. You could be out fighting, but you're here doing something awesome that you'll never forget."
"When you run through Arlington National Cemetery you're already pretty tired," said Supnick. "But seeing people who had made the ultimate sacrifice reminded me what a great thing it is to serve our country."
Many of the Marines had Marine Corps Community Services-South Carolina to thank for the trip.
"I've been trying for the past few years to get into the Marine Corps Marathon," said Capt. Scott Buttz, Kilo Co. commander. "MCCS really deserves our thanks for working so hard to make sure so many of the Parris Island Marines got a spot in the race and the opportunity of a life time."
Runners from Parris Island were:
? Col. Gary Supnick, H&S Bn. commanding officer, 5:27:22
? Capt. Scott Buttz, Kilo Co. commander, 3:14:38
? Capt. Matthew Gorbaty, Service company commander, 5:00:59
? Capt. Steven Murphy, RTR S-4 officer, 3:13:10
? Capt. Andy Nelson, Golf Co. series commander, 4:08:35
? 1st Lt. Amy Odonnell, S-3 officer, 4:04:46
? Sgt. Maj. Bobby Dendy, 3rd RTBn. Sgt. Maj., 4:58:59
? Sgt. Maj. Rodney Robbins, H&S Bn. Sgt. Maj., 4:22:11
? 1st Sgt. Anthony Pelaez, 3rd RTBn. company 1st Sgt., 4:41:39
? Staff Sgt. Deborah Hamner, Staff NCOIC, music library, Parris Island Marine Band, 4:40:14
? Staff Sgt. Stacie Black, Fiscal NCOIC, 4:26:06
? Staff Sgt. Christopher Diem, Naval Criminal Investigative Service special agent, 4:21:35