Quantico 12K Top Finisher Sets Sights on Marine Corps Marathon

Triumphant finishes from 1,264 athletes at today’s Quantico Tri, Quantico 12K and Quantico Mile

QUANTICO, VA (August 24, 2019) – Matt O’Neil, 24, of Woodbridge, VA, continues to dominate the 2019 MCM Event Series with a spirited top finish in the Quantico 12K with a time of 41:10. This is O’Neil’s fourth ribbon breaking performance this year with the Marine Corps Marathon Organization (MCMO).

“I approached this 12K differently than last year (when he set the course record at 40:17). I wanted to run it at a desired marathon pace to be prepared for what is ahead,” commented O’Neil. “My goal is to be on the MCM podium this October. I am on track with my training and always look forward to events where I can run with the Marines.”

The Quantico 12K is a perfect distance at the perfect time in MCM training. The 7.46 mile run weaves through paved and gravel roadways finishing alongside the triathletes at a shared finish adjacent to the Officer Candidate School (OCS) Physical Training (PT) Fields. A total of 647 runners conquered the Quantico 12K and finished with pride.

Leading the females at the Quantico 12K was Emily Sharp, 28, of Alexandria, VA, with a time of 51:14. “I am running to earn a Distinguished Participation medal this year. It’s always great to run with the motivation from the Marines and experience a new course.” Distinguished Participation is a yearlong commitment to run each of the MCM Event Series, with the Turkey Trot in November as the remaining requirement from this year’s qualifying events. More than 350 runners currently are eligible for this recognition.

The following runners rounded out the finisher’s podium.

·       Air National Guard Colonel Travis Boltjes, 40, of Washington, D.C., finished strong with a second place finish of 42:39. Third place award was presented to Sean Robinson, 45, from Louisa, VA, with a time of 45:55. Robinson shares, “As a former Marine, it’s great to continue the connection by running and reaching for Distinguished Participation.”

·       Fredericksburg, VA, native, Dana Hayden, 42, finished as the second female in a time of 51:54. “This was an incredible course and a great event since I recently started running longer distances. I am hoping to register for this year’s Marathon with a MCM Charity Partner, to run in honor of my sister-in-law who has been diagnosed with cancer.” Third place was captured by Catherine Miller, 53, of Spotsylvania VA, in 53:28. Miller also placed third a few months ago at the Belleau Wood 8K and attributes coming back to encouraging support of the Marines and dazzling finisher medals.

An additional 563 athletes started their day swimming in the Potomac River at sunrise, biking through Marine Corps Base Quantico, and running the trails at OCS to complete the Quantico Tri. The “Crossroads of the Marine Corps” hosted today’s festivities and sent the Quantico Tri participants on a journey to splash 750 meters, cycle 20.4K and run 5K.

Erik Armes, 22, of Tempe, AZ, earned the top finish in 1:01:37. Armes is part of the U.S. National Triathlon Team and today was his first event running with the Marines. “I am in town to visit family and decided to participate in the event with my father (Marine Corps Colonel Stephen Armes). It was great to see my dad speak at the MCM Motivational Dinner last night and to experience the Marines, volunteers and uplifting energy on course.”

The following top finishers joined Armes at the awards ceremony:

·       Marine Corps Major Kenneth Parisi, 42, of Montclair, VA, earned second place in 1:01:38. Third place was captured by Marine Corps Major Kevin Soeder, 41, from Stafford, VA, saw the finish line at 1:01:41. This was the second top finish in this event for both Marines.

·       Peyton Young, 42, of Vienna, VA, reached her goal of becoming the first female top finisher in a time of 1:16:59. Marine Corps Major Jamie Ash, 33, from Woodbridge, VA, earned second place in    1:17:36 and shared, “I was the female top finisher in the Quantico Tri last year, and it’s great to be back and run alongside the community.” Third place was captured in 1:18:01 by Heather Allen, 35, from Washington, D.C., with her first all-time win at any running event.

Both events combined to welcome 1,210 participants to the finish (647 in Quantico 12K and 563 in Quantico Tri) with hundreds more in attendance cheering on the athletes. The event day also included the Quantico Mile, as an alternative for kids or beginning runners to take part in the festivities. Lissette Vidal, parent of 5-year-old Quantico Mile participant, shared, “It was my son’s first race ever and it was great to be able to experience it with him. It was a fun event and we enjoyed the scenery.”

Unofficial results are available at www.marinemarathon.com.

Runners may continue their commitment to #RunWithTheMarines by participating in the MCM Kids Run on October 26; MCM10K on October 27; Turkey Trot on November 13; and Medal of Honor 8K on December 7.

Source: Marine Corps Marathon