In only its second year as an official event, Push America Challenge: Marine Corps Marathon was a huge success, laying a foundation for an annual success for years to come. On October 25, 30 Push America supporters descended on the nation’s capital to run the Marine Corps Marathon and 10k. While the finishing times were scattered across the board, the weekend gave Push America Challenge team members a chance to remember why they were running; both in honor of those who fought to protect this country and for those who may not be able to run.

The night before the race, Push America Challenge team members gathered together to carbo-load for the next day, but found the evening to be much more fulfilling than a meal. Also in attendance that evening were World T.E.A.M. Sports athletes also running and hand cycling in the Marine Corps Marathon. World T.E.A.M. Sports is a nonprofit organization that hosts athletic events uniting people with and without disabilities to promote inclusion and teamwork. Together, Push America Challenge and World T.E.A.M. Sports participants were honored by the presence of Ryan Kules, a representative of the Wounded Warrior Project, to whom Push America gave a $5,000 grant for the second year in a row.

"The funds you all raised for this event will go to those men and women coming back every day injured who may not know what lies ahead for them. They will have even more opportunities once they leave their respective hospitals thanks to your hard work," Kules said after receiving the grant check.

Chad Coltrane, Push America CEO, in response to Ryan’s speech said, "While this dinner tonight might be fuel for our bodies tomorrow, you embody the fuel for our souls as we run 26.2 miles tomorrow. We all thank you."

On Sunday morning, Push America Challenge runners were up before the sun in order to prepare themselves before the marathon and 10k began. There was an excitement in the air around Charity Village as so many runners were about to begin running, something they had all prepared so long and hard for, both training and fundraising on behalf of Push America.

Bernard Fuemmeler, a professor at Duke University, was unfamiliar with Push America before searching the available charity spots on the Marine Corps Marathon Web site. "I wanted to find a charity in which I could raise money and awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project and glad to find Push America supporting this cause. I chose the Wounded Warrior Project because I wanted to do something to give back to our veterans. My wife works for the V.A. and tells me of the brave and sometimes challenging times that veterans encounter after returning from war. Raising money for the wounded warriors was my way of giving back. I wasn't sure if I was going to like doing all of the work of fundraising while I was training, but it turned out to be not so bad," Bernard said.

With nearly 30,000 participants in the Marine Corps Marathon, and even more people watching and cheering on the runners, Push America Challenge participants all agreed that the beginning of the run was a thrilling experience.

The rest of the run, although still filled with spectators willing to cheer for everyone, was not so easy. James Wedding, an alumnus from Texas Tech, said, "Every time I even considered stopping or dropping out, I remembered my wife saying, 'Just think about the people you're running for...' It didn't make it any more fun, but it did make it easier. When you think about the people that Push America serves, complaining about a sore ankle just doesn't seem to rate, and it gives you that little bit to go another step and another mile."

Through all of the fatigue, it was a wonderful weekend for Push America Challenge and its participants. In only its second year, Push America Challenge: Marine Corps Marathon grew to even greater heights.

Reflecting on his experiences of the weekend, Michael Chadwick, an alumnus of Westchester University, said, "Push America changes your life forever. You learn about yourself and what you are capable of. You get one on one interaction with people with disabilities and it opens your eyes that everyone is capable of great things. You truly cherish the small things in life…I also wonder how Push America can once again outdo itself, but they have."