PHOTOS: Tears and cheers as thousands race in Marine Corps Marathon 2024

D.C. streets were packed as thousands ran in the 49th Annual Marine Corps Marathon Sunday.

The event featured clear skies and first place wins for Kyle King of Yucca Valey, California, and Tessa Barrett of Arlington, Virginia.

You can read WTOP’s full coverage of the marathon from newly-minted marathoner Luke Lukert and check out photos from “The People’s Marathon” below.

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Thousands prepared to take on the challenge at this year’s Marine Crops Marathon in D.C. on Oct. 27, 2024. (WTOP/Luke Lukert)

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Participants run through the 49th MCM course in Arlington, Virginia, Oct. 27, 2024. Participants from around the world raced on the monumental MCM course through D.C., finishing at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre)

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Robert and Donna Taylor are running Sunday’s race. Robert has has been running the race for four decades and calls the race a “pilgrimage.” (WTOP/Luke Lukert)

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Thousands of runners take part in the Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 27, 2024. (WTOP/Luke Lukert)

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Participants in the 49th Marine Corps Marathon run through the course in Arlington, Virginia, Oct. 27, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre)

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Runners line up for the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday. (WTOP/Luke Lukert)

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Participants from around the world raced on the MCM course through D.C., finishing at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre)

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Runners take part in the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday. (WTOP/Luke Lukert)

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Organizers said the event was a celebration of every finisher’s honor, courage and commitment to training for and completing the marathon. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre)

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Runners participating in the 49th Marine Corps Marathon run through the ‘wear blue: run to remember’ mile on Oct. 27, 2024. The course segment is a tribute intended to honor those who gave their lives for this country. The segment includes 225 posters with photographs of the Faces of the Fallen. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre)

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Runners take on the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday. (WTOP/Luke Lukert)

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Thousands of runners logged 26.2 miles in D.C. and Arlington, Virginia, for the 49th annual Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday morning. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre)

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Runners participating in the 49th Marine Corps Marathon run through the ‘wear blue: run to remember’ mile on Oct. 27, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre)

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Michael Zakrajsek, a participant of the 49th Marine Corps Marathon, runs through the ‘wear blue: run to remember’ mile in D.C. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre)

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Runners participating in the 49th Marine Corps Marathon run through the ‘wear blue: run to remember’ mile on Oct. 27, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre)

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The segment includes 225 posters with photographs of the Faces of the Fallen. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre)

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Runners participating in the 49th Marine Corps Marathon run through the ‘wear blue: run to remember’ mile on Oct. 27, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre)

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With the race comes dozens of road closures, crowds of cheering spectators and more than a few emotional tears. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre)

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The course segment is a tribute intended to honor those who gave their lives for this country. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre)

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The Marine Corps Marathon is the largest marathon in the world that doesn’t offer prize money. It has been deemed “The People’s Marathon.” It is often a runner’s first race at the 26.2-mile distance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre)

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Hand cyclists participating in the 49th Marine Corps Marathon run through the ‘wear blue: run to remember’ mile in D.C., Oct. 27, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre)

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Runners participating in the 49th Marine Corps Marathon run through the ‘wear blue: run to remember’ mile on Oct. 27, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre)

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With the race comes dozens of road closures, crowds of cheering spectators and more than a few emotional tears. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre)

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