Marine Corps Marathon's Final Groundpounder Completes Historic 42-Year Running Streak

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Al Richmond achieved the remarkable distinction of becoming the Marine Corps Marathon's longest running "Groundpounder"—a nickname given to someone who has completed every Marine Corps Marathon since the 26.2-mile race began in 1976. His dedication spanned 42 consecutive years, making him the final Groundpounder to retire from the race following the 42nd annual run on October 22, 2017. This accomplishment matters because it represents an unprecedented commitment to physical endurance and military tradition, showcasing how individual perseverance can become part of sporting history.

Richmond's passion for long-distance running began unexpectedly with a conversation in the Pentagon locker room. "I had just finished one of our mandatory three-mile runs when one of my fellow Marines came in from a ten-mile run, and I thought, 'I can do that.' That's how it all began," he recalls. At the time, the Marine Corps was preparing for the first marathon—the Marine Corps Reserves Marathon, as it was called for the first two years. The first marathon, held on November 7, 1976, saw 1,000 runners cross the finish line. Since then, the race has grown into one of the largest in the world, hosting over 30,000 runners from all fifty states and more than fifty countries, demonstrating how this event has become a significant international athletic tradition.

Richmond's most memorable race was the Marine Corps Marathon in November 1990, which he ran less than six months after being seriously injured while attending the Jazz Fest in New Orleans. "In September, as I was recovering, I read an article in the paper about a guy who was bragging that he had run in every Marine Corps Marathon. I thought, 'Shoot, now I have to,'" he recalls. Determined, Richmond made the most out of the next six weeks and stood at the starting line, ready to race, on November 4, 1990. This particular achievement underscores the mental and physical resilience required to maintain such a lengthy streak, serving as an inspiration to athletes facing adversity.

The implications of Richmond's 42-year commitment extend beyond personal accomplishment. His story illustrates the evolution of the Marine Corps Marathon from a small military event to a major international race, reflecting the growing popularity of marathon running worldwide. Additionally, his ability to run alongside his daughter Elisa in his last four marathons, cheered on by his wife Kitty, their six adult children, fifteen grandchildren, and supportive friends, highlights how such achievements can become family traditions that span generations. This multi-generational participation demonstrates how athletic dedication can strengthen family bonds and create lasting memories.

Following his final Marine Corps Marathon, Richmond and his wife moved to Ashby Ponds, an Erickson Senior Living community, where they discovered connections to their past, including a neighbor who was sworn into the U.S. Coast Guard in the 1960s by Richmond's father, former four-star admiral and commandant Alfred C. Richmond. This transition from athletic achievement to community life shows how maintaining physical activity and social connections contributes to successful aging. Richmond's story serves as an important reminder of how dedication to physical fitness can lead to extraordinary accomplishments while inspiring others to pursue their own goals, regardless of age or circumstance.