4,100 registered runners. Representing 25 states. And six countries. Many dedicating Sunday’s Two Cities Marathon to a lost loved one.
“A lot of people don’t understand that even if it happened a week, a year, two years — we still feel the same pain every day. I want people to know that they’re not forgotten,” runner Gabriela Espinoza said.
With each step of her run, Espinoza running in memory of her mother who died from COVID-19, as well as her son.
Espinoza also running with a photo of Estrella Ramirez, a young mother of four who recently died in a car accident.
“I don’t know them personally, but I know what it feels to lose someone and I just want them to know that I’m there — even if I’m just a stranger; there’s people out there who case,” Espinoza said.
Participants crossing the finish line as volunteers placed a Two Cities medal around their neck.
The medal commemorating both Fresno and Clovis on each side of the medal.
Runner Bryan Banuelos surprising himself by winning his first half marathon race.