WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WECT) - More than 2,000 runners from California to New York hit the street near Wrightsville Beach Sunday morning for the Quintiles Full and Half Marathon.
"I just do it for me, I try to beat my own time, I do it for fun," said half-marathon runner, Rhonda Holcombe.
"You just feel confident and proud like you achieved something," said Andy Shepard, "I can't quite describe that feeling when you cross the finish line.
Thousands of fans lined the street to hold signs, ring bells and cheer the runners on.
"You just go a little bit stronger a little bit faster and you eat up the crowd support and it feels great," said Shepard.
While the runners may have been fast, the marathon did force some cars to go slow. Traffic was stopped throughout the morning on Military Cutoff to let runners cross the street. The bridge into Wrightsville Beach also backed up.
"It is frustrating if you do want to go to the beach, "said Sean Herman. Herman said going over the bridge was especially difficult because of the construction going on. "Everything is pretty backed up and with the marathon it makes things much worse."
Others said they didn't mind the traffic, adding it wasn't as bad because the race started around 6am.
"In this area it seems to be well handled they are channeling it well," said Pam Poretti, who was cheering her friends on.
MEN'S FULL MARATHON RESULTS:
1st - Mark Hopely - Lynchburg, VA - 2:33:18
2nd - Jason Nista - Wrightsville Beach, NC - 2:49:22
WOMEN'S FULL MARATHON RESULTS
1st - Sarah Glenn - Roanoke, VA - 3:04:44
2nd - Jessica Swencki - Carolina Beach, NC - 3:04:05
For more results visit:
Copyright 2013 WECT. All rights reserved. 
