Honoring service members, 49th Marine Corps Marathon [Video]

ARLINGTON, Va. — The weather was nearly picture-perfect — a crisp fall day. Unlike last year, it wasn’t too hot, which may have helped many runners cross the finish line faster, particularly some first time racers.

“My husband always supports me in my ventures, so I’m supporting his venture of basically killing himself,” said Krista Kern.

For Kern, running 26.2 miles isn’t easy to imagine, but the marathon is known as a true test of endurance.

“I’m not a runner, but he is. He’s been doing the runs, and I’ve been doing 5Ks with him. That’s the extent of my running,” she said.

Her husband, Michael Kern, a Marine veteran and staff member with Semper Fi & America’s Fund, has had this marathon on his bucket list for some time. He finished it …