Meet the Six Ambassadors Running in Blue at the Marine Corps Marathon
wear blue is proud to announce the launch of its first-ever Ambassador Program, debuting in conjunction with the upcoming 50th Anniversary Marine Corps Marathon. This inaugural team of six ambassadors, representing cities across North America, will run in blue to honor the service and sacrifice of America’s military and their families.
Selected for their passion, commitment, and connection to the wear blue mission, these ambassadors embody the strength of remembrance, community, and resilience. Each ambassador will carry a name and legacy of a military hero, ensuring that their steps on race day are purposeful and filled with meaning.
“Our ambassadors are more than runners—they are advocates. Each one embodies our mission to honor the fallen, support the fighting, and serve the families of the fallen. Through their social platforms and personal networks, they’re spreading remembrance far beyond the racecourse, helping us amplify the impact of wear blue: run to remember at the Marine Corps Marathon and across the nation.
The six wear blue Ambassadors will not only represent their loved ones and wear blue on race day but will also serve as voices of connection and inspiration leading up to the event. Through training, storytelling, and personal reflection, they will help amplify the wear blue mission and invite others to join in running in remembrance.
Meet Our Ambassadors
Be sure to follow @wearblue on Instagram and Facebook to follow their stories and posts.
Catherine Bell (Boston, MA) runs for all who served but were never specifically named or remembered, determined to give a voice and honor to every unsung hero.
Jamie Bergin (Fredericton, NB, Canada) runs for her brother, SPC William Seier, turning her grief into purpose and carrying his legacy through every mile of training and racing. Follow on Instagram.
Sally Elliott (Olympia, WA) runs in remembrance of SFC Adrian Elizalde, SFC Cliff Beattie, and CPT John Hallett, ensuring that the stories and legacies of the fallen live on with every purposeful step.
Sandy Hernandez (Columbus, GA) runs in memory of her husband’s battle buddy, PFC Curtis L. Wooten III, proudly representing military families and ensuring every fallen hero is never forgotten.
Lori Leatherbee (Florence, KY) runs in memory of her late husband, 1Lt Donald R Flatlie, returning to the Marine Corps Marathon 40 years after first running it just months after his death to continue honoring his life and service.
Kayla Martin (Arlington, VA) runs to honor her father, LTC Tom Hawes, carrying forward her experience as a Gold Star daughter and former Gold Star Race Program participant to inspire others through active remembrance.
From coast to coast, each story is unique, yet together, they weave a powerful tapestry of remembrance and resilience. Whether honoring a spouse, parent, sibling, or supporting our Gold Star and Survivor Endurance Program athletes, these Ambassadors remind us that every mile matters and every name is remembered.
As wear blue continues to expand its impact, the Ambassador Program marks an exciting new chapter in deepening engagement—not only with military and surviving families, but also with the broader community of supporters. Unlike many of our programs that are reserved for Gold Star and Surviving family members, this initiative is open to all who are passionate about our mission, offering new opportunities for advocacy, connection, and remembrance. By connecting with athletes and supporters on and off the racecourse, the program offers a new way to share stories of service and sacrifice while strengthening the bonds of community.
The Marine Corps Marathon will take place on 26 October 2025, with thousands of athletes and supporters joining together in movement, memory, and honor. The wear blue Ambassadors will be among them—running in blue, running with purpose, and running so that America’s fallen are never forgotten.
Join our wear blue Community in Washington, D.C. for a weekend of remembrance.
