Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. -- Runners of all ages gathered at the famous Molly Marine statue Saturday for the 3rd annual Molly Marine 5K Run/Walk.
The Molly Marine statue on Parris Island is a cast replica of the original, which resides in New Orleans. The statue was created to honor the women who have earned the title of United States Marine. It is a monument to the enduring strength that has driven women from around the globe to earn their Eagle, Globe and Anchor.
It is with that same sense of history that the Parris Island replica was created in 1999.
Capt. Josh Rogers, a battalion series commander in training, was the first to cross the finish line. He ran the 3.2-mile course in 17:43. Darrin Bellows and O’Daydrian Simmons finished second and third respectively. Julia Sanford, a civilian aerobics instructor, was the fastest woman with a time of 24:29.
Awards were given to the top three overall winners, as well as winners from each of the seven age categories.
Rosa Robertson and Maria Knox, both former Marines, began planning the event four years ago as a way to increase awareness of the Women Marines’ Association. The more help the WMA receives, the more support it can give to Marines, they said.
“It’s about camaraderie,” Robertson said. “We want to promote the chapter, to let the community know we’re here, but mostly it’s about camaraderie.”
The community showed its support of the Marines by turning up in record numbers.
This year’s 5k run was host to 100 runners from all walks of life. Marines, civilians, women, men, children and even dogs were all participants in the event. Some parents even ran with their babies in specially designed strollers.
“Overwhelmingly, it was a success,” Knox said. “We had a 50 percent increase in runners this year.”
The runners were given t-shirts as thanks for their participation.
“We couldn’t have done it without the tremendous support of the base,” Robertson said.
The event was part of the WMA’s celebration of the 65th anniversary of the Marine Corps Women Reserves component of the Marine Corps.