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Twelve runners from the Baltimore chapter, nine of whom were first timers, took to the streets of Wilmington to participate in the Delaware Marathon on Sunday.

The morning was an overcast 68 degrees, perfect weather for a run. Seven a.m. marked the starting cannon and the runners tore off down the road.  The BOMF cheering section waited patiently for the runners to return through the complicated twists and turns of the course.  Armed with posters, slow claps, birthday songs, name chants, hand clappers, and high-fives, the support team from BOMF represented loudly and proudly.

Brendan O’Kane, training coach from team Christopher Place was the first to cross the line at a valiant 2:59:14, living up to the poster waved by his teammates, “Our Coach is faster than your Coach.”

See photos of the marathon here.

The first residential member to cross the line was MCVET resident Greg Stover who set the chapter’s marathon record in 3:56:55. Behind him was Team Organizer from Christopher Place Preston Greene (4:03:12) and BSTAT resident Kenny Moore along side his training coach Craig Lindemann who helped run him in through the back half.  Kenny, who despite claiming to have a love hate relationship with the 26.2 mile course, still finished in an impressive 4:06:07.

BOMF intern Lauren Lake crushed her previous marathon personal record by about 40 minutes when she crossed the line in 4:11:20.  Still smiling as she came in, she was given a boost around mile 18 when she was greeted by her mom, and rez members Gary Washington and Darryl Bradley from Team MCVET all of whom ran her in to the finish. Just behind her was MCVET teammate Mighty Meg Friedman who was also all smiles as she ran down the homestretch to her 4:19:52 finish.

Rob Aldrich was next up, singing his way into a 4:31: 59 clock time with the help of teammate Kari Petyak who helped him through the second half of the course. Though he claims it was his first and last marathon, the team knows Rob will be back at it again in a few months!  Sarah Morris from, rez member from the Philadelphia chapter and Terrell Stokes (MCVET) found each other mid-race and worked together to complete the course in 4:33:22.  When asked what he thought about the race, Terrell said, “It was unbelievable.  The best part was finishing.  I finished…4 hours and 33 minutes.  I always finish what I started.  Next marathon: Baltimore Running Festival.”

In spite of a tough day, non-rez member Nelson Schwartz had a triumphant 4:44:02 finish with his family by his side.  Teammate, second time marathoner and MCVET resident Arnold Shipman shattered his former Baltimore Running Festival personal record when he achieved his goal for the day, crossing the line in 4:51:44.

The highlight of the day had to be the notable finish of MCVET team organizer Amy Lewis.

She set out with teammate and MCVET rez member Charlie Tiller, who made a valiant attempt at 14 miles and unfortunately needed medical attention for a knee injury. Amy persisted on through the back half of the course while fellow marathoners and cheerleaders watched the seconds tick by.

At around 6 hours 20 min, several teammates, determined to find Amy, took off running the course backward to run her in to the finish, just like they do during the morning runs.

Teammates who stayed at home base said that the sight of the BOMF crew cresting the final hill is an image that moved them to tears.  “I’m classifying it as the greatest finish of all time. Having various people meet me in the last two miles was awesome.  Plus, I’m pretty sure I was the only one to have the paramedics block traffic, turn the sirens on and cheer. The guys and gals at the end truly embodied the spirit of BOMF! No one runs alone,” said Amy of one of the greatest BOMF finishes on record.  (6:34:29)