FREDERICKSBURG, Va. 鈥� Just 10 years ago, no one knew if the Marine Corps Historic Half would really take hold, but each year the race has grown bigger and better. Since 2008, the Historic Half in Fredericksburg has seen 50,000 runners, and this year runners from 46 states and seven countries are pounding the pavement.
For the Historic Half鈥檚 10th anniversary, race organizers added a new challenge for runners: the 鈥淒evil Dog Double.鈥�
Marc Goldman, marketing manager for the Marine Corps Marathon, said 600 runners signed up for the challenge.
The challenge involves runners completing the Semper 5ive (5 miles), the Historic Half (13.1 miles) and the Hospital Hill route 鈥� twice.
鈥淗ospital Hill is mile 10 of the half-marathon course. It is a huge elevation climb over a very short distance conveniently located right next to Mary Washington Health Care earning the name Hospital Hill,鈥� said Goldman. 鈥淎nd it is every runner鈥檚 rite of passage. If they can get through that hill, they know they鈥檝e got this event conquered.鈥�
The new challenge鈥檚 name is in reference to what German soldiers called U.S. Marines who fought in the 1918 battle of Belleau Wood. 鈥淒evil Dogs鈥� described their ferocious fighting style.
The 鈥淗istoric Half鈥� is not only a great name, said Goldman, but also extols the historic significance of Fredericksburg, home to Civil War and Revolutionary War sites as well as Ferry Farm, where George Washington鈥檚 boyhood home once stood.
US Marines a huge part of the Marine Corps Historic Half. It's the tenth anniversary of the run in Fredericksburg.
— Kathy Stewart (@KStewart草莓传媒)
The 10th Marine Corps Historic Half in Fredericksburg is underway!@草莓传媒
— Kathy Stewart (@KStewart草莓传媒)
Marine Corps Marathon mascot "Miles" giving runners high-five as 10th Historic Half got started in Fredericksburg.
— Kathy Stewart (@KStewart草莓传媒)
Ainsley's Angels waiting for start of Marine Corps historic half in Fredericksburg.
— Kathy Stewart (@KStewart草莓传媒)
鈥淚t鈥檚 nothing short of a success,鈥� he said.
Jen Ognek from Fredericksburg has run the Historic Half since its inception.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a half-marathon that鈥檚 going to be around for a long, long time,鈥� she said.
Congressman Rob Wittman (R-Va., 1st District) has been a part of the Historic Half over the last 10 years as a celebrity starter firing the starting pistol. He says people come from all over to Fredericksburg for the race, even making it a weekend destination.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really amazing how it turned out and what it鈥檚 become today,鈥� he said, adding that for the running community they look to this race as one that they have to check off their list.
Wittman said that the best part of the race is seeing the Marines work the event with smiles on their faces and enthusiasm to make the event so special.
鈥淭hese same Marines who are out here today, tomorrow could be in harm鈥檚 way,鈥� said Nealis.
He said that when the runners and others at the Historic Half thank them or ask for hugs or selfies, 鈥渢he Marines get something back, because they know the public really appreciates what they鈥檙e doing.鈥�
The results of the Historic Half:
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