Charlotte soldier wins marathon in Iraq

Thanks to Run for Your Life, Kathryn Abernethy, and Observer staffer Franco Ordonez for getting this one in my hands:

John Marotta won the first "Shadow" Los Angeles Marathon in Iraq on Memorial Day in 3:36. Marotta is from Charlotte and was a former member of the Sheriff's Department and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

The marathon and half-marathon took place at Camp Taji, about 20 miles north of Baghdad, and was run by about 400 U.S. soldiers. A fundraiser created to honor fallen soldiers, the event was supported by the L.A. Marathon, which sent T-shirts, race bibs, medals and a finish banner.

Because of the triple-digit temperatures, the report I read said 20 water stations were set up along the 13.1-mile gravel loop course. Also, runners apparently had to dodge scorpions and poisonous snakes, so 14 medical personnel and four different ambulances were standing by.

Remember this the next time you whine about bad race-day weather, or rough course conditions!