by Randy Mayes

Distance running is a sport not yet celebrated in the United States. However, the Marine Corps Marathon is one of the few running events to make the local television news. The news anchors revealed we had a local winner in the MCM highlights coming up. Emerging on the screen, Weldon Johnson is not a name known to many in the local running community. Entering the event two days before the start (registration had closed June 17), he makes a call to the registration office declaring he can run in the 2:20s. He had never have run a marathon before. Typical Weldon style, not caring about minor details, just loving running and competing, he clears the first hurdle easily, obtaining an entry. Setting the stage for a melodramatic race, he does not disappoint. He easily wins his first marathon.

A 25-year-old native of Dallas, TX, he ran track with his twin brother Robert in high school. He admits he was not always the faster of the two. At Yale University, running track and cross country, he earned a degree in economics. After finding a job on the Internet as a researcher for an economic consulting firm in Washington, DC, he settled in the Glover Park area near two college tracks. This provides an outlet for interval training. Nearby there is a network of running trails where he breaks from work and combines evening runs to unwind, logging 60-85 miles per week consistently.

Weldon shares a home with two Reebok Enclave runners. One is Scott Anderson, the most recent American to join the group of exclusive sub 4:00 milers. He benefits from the highly competitive atmosphere of the elite sprinters and middle distance runners. Yet for his long distance training he chooses to run alone. He still seeks the advice of his high school coach, John Kellogg, through weekly phone conversations. He believes proper training and coaching are essential. Placing full trust in Kellog, regarding him the best coach in the country, is what works for Johnson.

As with most runners, he has had bouts with injuries. Throughout high school and college, nagging pains accompanied him. After a visit to a chiropractor and spinal manipulation, the problems were corrected. Recently, he has been very fortunate avoiding injury. Jokingly, he admits he should learn more about sports nutrition. His post MCM dinner was lots of candy, and the following day he treated himself to Wendy’s. According to legendary coach Brooks Johnson, "success is derived from developing the right mental approach. To do that, you must understand your mental side to help you get the best from yourself ."

"Running is something I do for enjoyment and it makes me feel great," says Johnson. Showing mental development beyond his experience, he is also in great physical shape. Based on several strong showings at prior races, he could have been considered a favorite to place as a top finisher. At the Hampton-Pomoco Half-Marathon he ran 1:07:02 beating Darrell General, a member of the US Half-Marathon Team. He collected $1500, setting a course record at the Jay’s Run 10K. He finished in 31:34 on a hilly course after losing time for going off course, still defeating Kevin Jermyn of the Reebok Enclave and Chris Fox. Also, he was the top local finisher at the inaugural USO Defenders Ten Mile Run managing 52:00 despite muggy weather. Accomplishing these in the short time since moving to Washington, DC in October 1997, he considered a marathon in August 1998. With a solid base and lots of confidence and inspiration from hearing of the Chicago Marathon, he entered the MCM. With only three months of 70-85 mile weeks and long runs of 18 and 23 miles he went to the starting line with many fellow first time marathoners not knowing what the mental and physical demands would do to his body and how it would react.

Running with his brother as company until the 7-mile mark, he ran alone until the 21^st mile. At mile nineteen, fatigued but feeling confident, he was confronted with a decision to continue the pace or ease up to ensure an uneventful finish. His body gave signs of coping physically. However, the warm weather and running alone presented the biggest challenge. Jesse Walsh, a 13-year-old wheelchair racer provided companionship and a source of strength for the mentally exhausting last five miles.