While many were sleeping early this morning, nearly 20,000 people, from volunteers to runners, took to the streets of downtown Myrtle Beach for the annual Myrtle Beach marathon.
For the first time in the events 14 year history the title of fastest runner went to a woman, and her journey is just one of many today behind the race.
Winner Kathleen Castles is a high school track coach training for the Olympic Trials. Not only did she make her time, she beat all the competition today, including the men.
As soon as she finished, she made a phone call. The person on the other end? Her daughter.
"She just like mom, I knew you'd do it, and your great. She just thought it was so awesome that I beat out all the guys." Castles said.
Castle's daughter is also a runner at college. She couldn't be at the marathon today because she was participating in her own meet.
Coleman Mitchell Sr. of Durham, NC ran the half marathon with his two sons, ages 10 and 13. They were among leaders in the pack of 4,000 runners. For dad, the race is all is about teaching his kids discipline.
"It does more than just health, it helps to get you through life," he said.
