Marine Enjoys a Triumphant Day

Many of the wheelchair racers were frustrated by the start of the race. Normally, wheelchairs are sent out first. This year, because of the staggered start, they went out between the two waves of runners.

"It was rougher this year than it was last year," Swaim said. "I hope and pray no one ever does that again. We had a hard time trying to get around the crowd. Unfortunately, I had to push a lot of people out of the way. They got a little aggravated, but it's either that or [run them over]. I'm hoarse from hollering so much."

Said Owens: "I honestly probably would have finished a good 15 minutes faster if it wasn't [for the crowd]. I had to keep coming to a stop. You'd yell, and most people generally moved. But then somebody just wouldn't move, and I'd have to slam on my brakes."

A Decorated Family

Tom Wacker, 46, of Arlington, has made a habit out of giving his Marine Corps Marathon medals to his sons. He has run three marathons and given out three medals to Adrian, 7, Joshua, 4, and Jeremy, 3. Just because he ran out of sons to give his medals to, doesn't mean Wacker stopped running marathons. But it also doesn't mean he gets to keep this medal. Two weeks ago, Adrian told him this year's medal would be for mom. So Wacker's wife, Debbie, gets this one.

"I can't let my son down now can I?" said Wacker, who finished in 4:51.

Will he do another marathon just to get his own medal? "Maybe one more," he said.

Medical Cases Down

Capt. Bruce Adams, Marine Corps Marathon medical director, reported the lightest number of cases he has seen in his eight years with the race. Because of the temperate weather, Adams said there were no heat-related cases. Only 18 runners were transported to area hospitals, mostly for dehydration, chest pain and sprained ankles. . . .

Ryan Schmidt, 24, of Baltimore, won the 8K race in 28:41, just edging second-place finisher Ted Poulos, 43, of McLean, by 15 seconds. Johanna Allen, 24, of Woodbridge, won the female division in 29:36, nearly 2 1/2 minutes ahead of the second place finisher. . . .

The Navy won the Armed Forces Competition for the first time in the eight-year history of the competition. Air Force has won the most times (four) followed by the Marines (twice). Army's only win came in 2001. Navy Lt. John Mentzer, 29, was the top U.S. male military finisher in 2:24:26. Army Capt. Emily Brozozowski was the top U.S. female finisher in 2:54:58.