Fallen soldiers remembered in Fayetteville's All-American Marathon

U.S. Army Pfc. Michael R. DeMarsico II, of North Adams, Mass., died in Aug. 2012 while serving in Afghanistan.

Monyahan, who travelled with a group from New England to run in the All-American Marathon in Fayetteville on Sunday, participated in the event in honor of the 20-year-old.

“And his mother’s biggest fear is that he would be forgotten, and we promised her that we would make sure he never was,” said Monyahan, who ran the half marathon with DeMarsico’s name on her wristband. “It gives you a shot of ambition because look, they do for us, and we can do one more mile for them.”

More than 3,000 runners registered for the event’s 5K, half and full marathons.

U.S. Army Maj. Matt Sprecher was running his first full marathon.

“I’m a little bit nervous right now, anxious to get started, to get the nerves out,” he said before the race.

Vivian Spencer, who ran last year’s race, finished in just over 3 hours.

“And then the flags, that’s such a beautiful experience,” said Spencer, who came from Winston-Salem. “I love it. That was such a motivator. I think my pace increased, and everybody was like what are you doing? And one girl beside me, she actually started crying because she actually lost her son.”

Dalton Weintraub finished the full marathon in 3 hours, 47 minutes.

“I kept going, it was a good time,” he said. “Terrible, but it was fun.”

Chuck Engle, a 44-year-old Army veteran from Virginia, won the full marathon in 2 hours, 48 minutes.

Jennifer Parscal of Linden was the top female finisher at 3 hours, 17 minutes.