LINCOLN, Neb. - Gray skies, light winds and unseasonably cold temperatures greeted nearly 10,000 marathoners Sunday as they descended upon Lincoln for the 36th annual Lincoln National Guard Marathon.
Among the thousands of athletes participating in this year's race were more than 200 Army and Air National Guard members representing 44 states and two U.S. territories. The Guard runners were competing for positions on the All Guard Marathon Team.
"This is Nebraska in the springtime," said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Hagen, the National Guard Bureau marathon coordinator from the Nebraska Army National Guard. "Weather predictions are tough to do in Nebraska and runners need to come prepared for all weather conditions."
Leading the way for all National Guard runners was Staff Sgt. Troy Harrison of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, with an unofficial time of 2 hours, 31 minutes and 50 seconds. Harrison outpaced second-place finisher, 2nd Lt. Kenneth Rayner from the Virginia Army National Guard, who finished with a time of 2:35:11.
"It was a little windy, but I'm not complaining because we've had other years where it's been really bad," said Harrison. "I think it might be the fastest (marathon) I've ran here in Lincoln. I'm really pleased with my time because I didn't do any of the training that I normally do. I've been coaching track and used that as an excuse for not training as hard as I normally do."
Finishing first in the women's division for the Guard was Senior Airman Emily Shertzer from the Pennsylvania Air National Guard with an unofficial time of 3:01:06. Coming in a few minutes behind Shertzer was Capt. Varinka Barbini Ensminger of the Kentucky Army National Guard with her time of 3:09:44.
The brisk weather didn't seem to bother Shertzer.
"I thought it was great," Shertzer said. "The temperature was good and the wind wasn't too bad."
"I enjoy coming to Lincoln to see all of the other Guard runners," she added. "It's a fun marathon route, but it is a little tough because the second half is out and back."
Harrison and Shertzer have a few things in common. Harrison drills in Fort Indian Gap, Pa., while Shertzer works there as a civilian. They also share a love for running and ice cream.
"Troy and I are on the same wavelength," Shertzer said. "We will be sharing some ice cream after we get some food and a massage."
Despite less-than-favorable conditions, Harrison, Shertzer and all the other finishers braved the chilly May morning for a tough, but rewarding 26.2 miles, showing the grit and determination that races like this often bring out in their participants. Hagen said Guard marathoners seemed to have a greater sense of pride and resilience today in light of the recent Boston Marathon bombings.
He added he was extremely happy with how the marathon turned out and is looking forward to an even larger event next year.
"Last year, the marathon sold out in two weeks. This year it sold out in 18 hours," said Hagen. "I'm biased, of course, but this truly is a great program."
"It's important to the Guard because it instills many different values in Guard members including focus on training, leadership and teamwork."