DUMFRIES, Va. 鈥� On Saturday, more than 2,000 runners took part in the Marine Corps 17.75k, which honored fallen Prince William County police officer Ashley Guindon.
The Marine Corps 17.75k takes runners through a rugged 11.03-mile course through the Prince William Forest Park. Participants are guaranteed spots in the Marine Corps Marathon.
Of the nearly 2,200 participants, 150 were running to show their support to Guindon, who was fatally shot while responding to a domestic violence call in Woodbridge, Virginia in February.
鈥淛ust overwhelming,鈥� said Mark Guindon, Ashley Guindon鈥檚 uncle, at the race grounds. 鈥淚鈥檝e never been to an event such as this or the treatment that they had for her when she passed and her funeral.鈥�
Several members of Guindon鈥檚 family also ran in the race and volunteered at this year鈥檚 event.
After the Guindon鈥檚 death, the Marine Corps Marathon organizers opened up several spots for the Prince William County Police Department.
鈥淚鈥檝e always wanted to run the 17.75, but I was never able to get in,鈥� Asst. Police Chief Steve Thompson said. 鈥淏ut this has a special purpose. When Ashley was killed, several days after that, that鈥檚 all I did was run and think about what happened. It鈥檚 helped clear my mind.鈥�
Thompson said Guindon gave her life serving the county and running the 17.75k is a great honor.
