Sharing the full article from the 2018 Marine Corps Marathon Program
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Originally from Ellicott City Maryland, Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Mark Cucuzzella was just an “ordinary, super active kid”. He played most sports and admits that he never considered running until he joined his older brother, who was on the high school cross country team, for a run.
“I went out to run with my older brother when I was 11 – just a few miles on the beach,” says Cucuzzella. “a few days later I completed 12 miles with him.”
“I really didn’t run anything organized until two years later when four local 13 year olds put quarters in a jar at the local Howard County Striders weekend runs and then decided to run the Columbia Birthday Classic Half Marathon.”
The Columbia Classic was Cucuzzella’s first real race, and he completed the event in an impressive 1:23:02. His 11 year old brother came in at 1:30.
“I won my age group and I thought wow – I won a prize,” he said. “At that point it was pretty clear I could run. I decided to give up football in high school as the sport had outgrown by body – the other players were twice my size.”
After running at Loyola High School (where he is member of their Sports Hall of Fame), Cucuzzella continued his stride at the University of Virginia.
“In college I went through every cycle – the injury, the overtraining, etc.,” he said. “After college running just became my therapy. I kept in shape while studying medicine and it made my mind work better.”
As a distraction from the first year medical studies, a friend encouraged him to run the Marine Corps Marathon in 1988, his first marathon.
“I hadn’t really heard of the event at that time, but you just signed a paper and mailed it into the organization,” explained Cucuzzella. “I went on a 13 or 14 mile training run, and it felt ready to try the MCM that year. It was my first marathon, and I completed the event in 2:34:02 without any knowledge of how to run a marathon. It was a fun experience to be in the big city race and that’s how I got hooked on marathons.”
That first MCM began a 30 year streak of sub-3 hour marathons for Cucuzzella who loves returning to the event. However, he does not simply participate in the event, he does so representing the U.S. Air Force.
“In the late 80’s and early 90’s, I competed in the event as an individual representing the Air Force, but it became very exciting when the Armed Forces Sports Council banded together and began the Armed Forces Marathon Team Championship,” said Cucuzzella, who found a deeper appreciation for the event at that time.
“The team championship gave me new life and love for the MCM,” he explained. “It was the first time I went not only as Mark representing the Air Force, but as a team of 5 guys and 3 ladies running the event as Team USAF. The event became more than just for self or service, you were part of a military running tribe!”
Cucuzzella competed with the Air Force team for 15 years, and now serves as the “fossil coach”. “But I still keep the young runners honest by running under 3 hours.”
“It’s exciting to run for more than just yourself,” he said. “When you run through the streets with the USAF jersey on – people know your part of that team. The people on the streets cheer for you and shout out your service. That really ignites you race day.”
While Cucuzzella enjoys the encouragement from spectators on the course energizing, he also holds a special place for the camaraderie shared across each of the service branches.
“I ran for several years with Air Force Master Sergeant Mike Mann who unfortunately contracted lung cancer in his 30’s,” shared Cucuzzella. “Mike lost his battle and each year on the Saturday before the event all five branches gather together on the National Mall and jog two-to-three miles in his honor and to honor other fallen comrades.”
Mark ads “Most of us have a friend or family member who has sacrificed their life for country, so anyone running can certainly give their best effort for the few hours they are out there”.
This year marks Cucuzzella’s 25th Marine Corps Marathon. Over the years, he has come to appreciate the subtle changes in the course with one mile in particular holding special significance.
“I wasn’t aware of how special the Blue Mile was the first time I ran through until I looked it up,” he explained. “If you have any discomfort going into that mile, it goes away quickly. Every child holding a flag of a lost parent, every lost service member… It almost makes you cry when you finish that mile.”
Cucuzzella also enjoys the Crystal City miles and it’s unique party atmosphere. “I enjoy the loop around Crystal City, it adds a nice flavor and boost when you’re feeling about your worst,” he said. “I look forward to coming across the bridge and seeing so many people again. At mile 23 the party music and spirit gets you back to Iwo Jima.”
Additionally, it is so much fun being out there with 30000 people – “especially where the course doubles backs and you can see your friends.”
“The MCM is such a historical race. As a race director I appreciate the huge efforts of local volunteers who return year after year,” continued Cucuzzella. “It’s a special thing to see these people each time I run. And I hope to come back for many more.”
Mark uses running now as a way to help create a community of health in the modern world of chronic disease. His gift back to the many who have taught him is his book “Run For Your Life” just released this fall. Mark will be speaking about how to run the Marine Corps Marathon and how to stay healthy in the sport for a lifetime at the MCM expo at 3:30 Saturday
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For a bit extra an article on how to run the MCM from 2o17
and the grid of times over the last 30 years
Date Age Time
1988 22 2:34:02
1989 23 2:32:41
1990 24 2:31:52
1992 26 2:36:35
1994 28 2:31:01
1995 29 alternate fall race- World Military Championships Rome 2:24 10th
1996 30 2:27:20 4th place overall
1997 31 2:35:21
1998 32 alternate fall race- Air Force Marathon 2:34
1999 33 alternate fall race- Chicago Marathon 2:24 49th place
Spring 2000-Bilateral Foot Surgery– Time to Relearn How to Run
2000 34 2:28:55 3rd Place overall
2001 35 alternate fall race- US Marathon Champs@NYC Marathon 2:33, 67th & 33rd US
2002 36 2:34:46
2003 37 2:33:37
2004 38 2:39:41
2005 39 2:34:47
2006 40 2:32:45 1st Master
2007 41 2:37:48
2008 42 2:34:48 1st Master
2009 43 2:40:55
2010 44 2:42:07
2011 45 2:43:47
2012 46 2:48:29 1st 45-49
2013 47 2:47:35
2014 48 2:49:49
2015 49 2:55:40
2016 50 2:55:26 1st 50-54 in Shamma sandals 🙂
2107 51 2:59: 20
A few random pics of running the Marine Corps Marathon thru the years and my USAF Team
