So Family Members Enter Marathon In His Memory

Marine Corps Captain Daniel McCollum (right) wasn't just an aviator. He was a runner. Marathons were his thing. In fact, he was supposed to run his third Marine Corps Marathon in Washington (DC) this week.

But McCollum died in the crash of a KC-130 in the mountains along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan on Jan. 9, 2002 (ANN: KC-130 Lost In Afghanistan -- 10 January 2002). Now, his wife and brother will take his place to honor his memory, participants in a race they never thought they'd run.

Jennifer McCollum says she's "no runner." But Daniel would sometimes drag her out of their home near the Miramar Marine Air Station in San Diego (CA) for a jog, coaching her by saying, "Just to the stop sign. Just to the corner. You're doing awesome."

Daniel's brother, Matthew, was an Army Captain. The two were known around their hometown neighborhood as "Pete and Repeat." Matthew ran his first marathon when he was in college. Then Daniel ran one. Then Matthew ran another one. Then Daniel ran another one. When Daniel died, each brother had two 26-mile races to his name.

Last Thanksgiving, Jennifer and Matthew went out for a short jog together in Irmo (SC). Jennifer said she was trying to lose some pounds gained in pregnancy. Matthew wanted to keep her company. They set out around the block.

As Jennifer  huffed and puffed, her brother-in-law said, "I'm thinking of running the Marine Corps Marathon for Dan."

"That's funny, she said. "I am too."

Getting into the Marine Corps Marathon isn't just like walking up, taking a number and running away. There's a lottery for would-be participants who want to hoof it past the most notable monuments in Washington. But this year, both Jennifer and Matthew are in. So they're training hard, Matthew in Christianburg (VA) and Jennifer (right, pictured on Newsweek cover in center) at her home in San Diego (CA). Sometimes they call each other to compare running logs. They plan to run the 26-mile race at their own paces but as a team, called "This One's For Daniel."

Still, during the toughest miles of the race, Matthew thinks he'll be running alone -- making it by thinking of his brother. "This is just my own little, private way of remembering Daniel," he said. "And probably of one-upping him, too."

Good luck, Matthew and Jennifer. We know you'll be thinking of Daniel when you run that race. Rest assured a lot of us will be thinking of him, too -- and we'll be rooting for you.

FMI: www.marinemarathon.com