Running News Daily

Whitney Black and Steven Phillips crossed the finish line together and they get married during the race

The plan was, as reported earlier, that this couple would start off as boyfriend and girlfriend and be married by the time they finished a marathon Sunday.  The couple, Whitney Black and Steven Phillips started the 41st Detroit Free Press/Chemical Bank Marathon together single. When they crossed the finish line together 4 hours and 47 minutes later, Whitney and Steven Phillips were officially husband and wife. The Grand Rapids-area couple became the first to get married during the Detroit marathon. The annual event has been the setting for several marriage proposals, but never before had anyone tied the knot in the middle of the race. The bride and groom were among the 25,307 people registered for this weekend's lineup of races.  (10/22/2018) Views: 1,807 ⚡AMP

A couple will start the Detroit Free Press Marathon as an engaged couple and finish as a married couple

A Michigan couple plans to pause at the half way mark of the Detroit Free Press Marathon to exchange vows and say their "I do's" before completing the international excursion through Detroit and Windsor on Sunday October 21.  Whitney Black, 31, and Steven Phillips, 33, plan to start as an engaged couple and finish the marathon as a married couple.  The couple has long been overcoming adversity with the help of their running habit, according to spokespeople for the marathon. Black was in a vehicle accident about 14 years ago, requiring 20 surgeries and years of physical therapy after being told she would not be able to walk again.  She then met Phillips, who encouraged her to train for a marathon. During training, she was hit by another vehicle, requiring another surgery. About eight years ago, Phillips weighed 300 pounds and wanted to get his health on track. He chose running. He's since lost 130 pounds and will run his 14th marathon this weekend. Because the two share a passion for running, they decided to forgo a traditional wedding and hold a brief ceremony during the marathon, at what they consider the perfect moment. The two plan to exchange vows in a five to seven-minute ceremony, with the bride donning a visor with a wedding veil and a shirt stating "Something Borrowed Something Blue at Mile 13.1 We'll Say I Do," and the groom sporting a tuxedo shirt.  (10/18/2018) Views: 1,712 ⚡AMP