Fox Cities Marathon runners overcame the heat Sunday for the accomplishment of running more than 26 miles.
One of those runners has done it each of the 27 years the race has gone off, but this year's run held a special significance.
As runners prepared for the Fox Cities Marathon, they knew they were in for a tough race.
"I'm very nervous right now. I'm excited. I'm not sure what the outcome's going to be because of the heat," said Mason Grundy, 3-times-in-a-row Fox Cities Marathon winner.
Getting through more than 26 miles of running is never easy, but with the hot conditions, race organizers were being especially careful. They put water stations on nearly every mile of the course in order to help racers get to the finish line.
One racer wasn’t worried. Kelly Luther has been here before.
"I did the first year, Fox Cities 1991, and I enjoyed it so much, I decided I wanted to do it again, and then again, and again, and again," said Luther.
As the race started, Luther began her 100th marathon.
"It's really fun because this year my friends, family, everybody's out supporting and cheering on so it's going to be a lot of fun," said Luther.
But it's not always easy to put one foot in front of the other.
"So a couple years ago when I got diagnosed with MS, I had to slow down a little bit. But kept going and then last year when I lost my husband, who was my number one fan, it was hard." said Luther.
Kelly says this race honored her husband’s memory.
"I had already had this goal in mind, last year when he passed away, so I knew I had to keep going to fulfill that goal," said Luther.
She said she wasn’t running alone.
"He'll be with me and I’m sure he'll be smiling ear to ear," said Luther.
Luther finished the marathon in just under six hours.
