A Preview of Purpose: Meet the 2025 Gold Star & Survivor Endurance Program Team
Every fall, thousands of runners line up at the start of the Marine Corps Marathon. For 12 wear blue athletes, this year's race will mean far more than just miles. These runners are part of the 2025 Gold Star and Survivor Endurance Program, a unique initiative that offers mentorship, coaching, and a community of remembrance for those who carry the weight of personal loss.
Each of these athletes is running to honor a loved one who died while in or due to military service. They're showing up for themselves, their fallen hero, and one another—transforming grief into movement, memory into action.
Across multiple states, they’ve spent the last several months building physical strength and emotional endurance. Supported by their coaches and the wear blue community, they’re deep into their training—logging long runs, strengthening their mindset, and preparing to converge in Washington, D.C. this October. Their goal? To complete 26.2 purposeful miles on a weekend filled with remembrance, unity, and love.
Each runner brings a powerful story to the start line. Here’s a preview of the athletes and the heroes they run to remember:
Cydney Guard | Gilroy, CA
Honoring her husband, SFC Nicholas Guard, U.S. Army (6/20/2022)Tegan Marrs | Edgewood, WA
Honoring her father, TSgt Steve Johnson, U.S. Air Force (8/7/2002)Danielle Kersten | Grand Island, NE
Honoring her husband, Capt Dustin Lukasiewicz, U.S. Marine Corps (5/12/2015)Eric Fort | Hoover, AL
Honoring his father, LT Eric P Brice, U.S. Navy (6/4/1968)Liana Borel | Mogadore, OH
Honoring her husband, CPT Thomas Borel, U.S. Army (1/12/2019)Julia Hatke | Phoenix, AZ
Honoring her brother, CPT Thomas Borel, U.S. Army (1/12/2019)Michael Scott | West Chester, PA
Honoring his brother, LTJG David Scott, U.S. Navy (10/12/2002)Celina Linde | Phoenix, AZ
Honoring her father, SFC Darren Linde, U.S. Army (12/3/2012)Alicia Shields | Gilbert, AZ
Honoring her uncle, Cpl Edward A Johnston, U.S. Marine Corps (10/23/1983)Keirsten Lyons | Spokane, WA
Honoring her brother, Sgt Jake Hess, U.S. Marine Corps (1/1/2014)Anne Lente | Albuquerque, NM
Honoring her brother, LCpl Jay L Lente, U.S. Marine Corps (12/6/2003)Kiersten Clinger | Xenia, OH
Honoring her brother, Sgt Tristan M Clinger, U.S. Marine Corps (12/26/2015)
These 12 athletes are running with heavy hearts and hopeful spirits. In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing their stories one by one. We invite you to follow along, support their journey, and be inspired by the powerful ways they choose to remember.
Up next: Tegan Marrs shares her mantra while running to honor her late father.
