CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - Jaime Marcos is ready to run the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon for the 2nd time.
Last year, Marcos won. It was his first ever marathon win.
"It was exciting and kind of a relief because I came in wanting to win it," Marcos told WAND News. "The community was just so supportive. I was so surprised by how many people were out there throughout every mile and just how much fun it was."
Marcos ran cross country at EIU for five years, but doesn't have much experience running marathons. Saturday's race will be just his fourth ever.
However, this year, Marcos is a Champaign native.
"It does mean more," Marcos said. "I mean, I'll know more faces and more people. Just being familiar with the city and now that I have memories in different parts of the city I can, as I go through the miles, just reflect and think about different experiences I've had."
Marcos is a PE teacher at Dr. Howard Elementary School in Champaign and says his students are excited for the race.
"They don't really fully understand how long a mile is or how long 26 miles is," Marcos said, "But they're just excited to be like, 'You ran a race?' or 'You won?' That's awesome."
Marcos hopes to finish the marathon in less than 2 hours and 20 minutes.
The Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon starts at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday.
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