Around 6 a.m.non Sunday, about 18,000 runners participated in the 22nd annual Lifetime Miami marathon and half-marathon. It was humid and temperatures reached the mid-80s, but the tropical weather didn’t stop most runners from crossing the long-awaited finish line.
Full and half-marathon participants began their excursion at the Kaseya Center, followed by sunrise aropund Ocean Drive and then returned to the downtown area. The 13.1-mile runners diverged to end their race while the 26.2 marathoners pushed through Coconut Grove and made their way back to Bayfront Park.
“Over 80 countries and 49 states, it’s become a destination race,” said Frankie Ruiz, co-founder of the Lifetime Miami Marathon. “Those folks that are coming from out of town are hopefully leaving with a good taste of what Miami is.”
George Onyacha from Kenya was the marathon winner this year, finishing the race in two hours and 17 minutes. The half-marathon winner was Solomon Kagimbi, crossing the finish line in an hour and four minutes.
