Meet the 2026 Marine Corps Marathon Gold Star & Survivor Endurance Program Athletes
On 25 October, 12 Gold Star and Surviving family members will line up at the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC, each running in honor of a loved one whose life continues to shape their own.
Through wear blue: run to remember’s Gold Star & Survivor Endurance Program, these athletes have spent months preparing for the physical and mental challenge of a marathon while building connection with others who understand the unique experience of military loss. Their training happens alongside the rest of their lives before work, between family commitments, on busy days and difficult ones.
Meet the 2026 Marine Corps Marathon Gold Star & Survivor Endurance Program athletes and the loved ones they are honoring:
KENNA CAMPBELL
Daughter of Maj Shawn M Campbell
United States Marines
14 January 2016
RAE HERLONG
Sister of SSG Nolan Parks Barham
United States Army
10 October 2014
CARLOS HERNANDEZ
Brother of LCpl Armando Hernandez
United States Marines
29 June 2021
KAY & TIM JABIN
Parents of AW Tyrone Anthony Jabin
United States Navy
10 July 2020
EMMA LINDBERG
Spouse of Cpt Jack Casey
United States Marines
7 February 2024
BENJAMIN McCOY
Son of CW4 Christian H McCoy
United States Army
KIA 24 June 2019
ROLANDO MONTANA
Son of SGT Rosendo Montana
United States Army
KIA 15 April 1970
YESENIA SOUDERS
Spouse of SSG Cristian Gilfranco
United States Army
7 March 2017
JULIE SPERRY
Spouse of SGT Jon M Skogen
United States Army
4 November 2019
MEGAN WALTERS
Spouse of CPT Brandon Walters
United States Army
5 September 2020
JESSICA WATTS-MESSICK
Sister of SPC Jarrod A Lallier
United States Army
KIA 18 June 2022
Join Them in Remembering
The Gold Star & Survivor Endurance Program gives family members an opportunity to train toward a meaningful endurance goal while honoring the lives of their loved ones alongside a community that understands their loss.
At the Marine Corps Marathon, you can be part of that remembrance by running in blue and carrying the name of a fallen service member with you, or by volunteering on the wear blue Mile and helping create a powerful moment of remembrance along the course.
The 2026 Marine Corps Marathon wear blue Mile is proudly supported by Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program. Register to volunteer or run in blue HERE.
In the coming weeks, we’ll introduce you to each of these Gold Star and Surviving family members and share more about the people they are running to honor.
We hope you’ll take the time to learn about and celebrate the lives their loved ones lived and support these athletes as they take each step toward the start line.
