Pedestrians take advantage of a closed George Washington Parkway for stroll shortly before the 33rd Marine Corps Marathon takes off in on Sunday, October 26, 2008. (Astrid Riecken/The Washington Times)

The towers of the National Cathedral are seen above a thick layer of fog seen from the Memorial Bridge in Washington, D.C. (Astrid Riecken/The Washington Times)

Wheelchair and hand cycle participants start the Marine Corps Marathon. (Astrid Riecken/The Washington Times)

Runners raise their arms at the beginning of the Marine Corps Marathon 26.2-mile journey. (Astrid Riecken/The Washington Times)

A group of runners carry the American and Marine Corps flags during the 33rd Marine Corps Marathon. (Astrid Riecken/The Washington Times)

Cindy Powell, left, from Columbia, SC, and her 2-year-old daughter Addi Powell wait for husband Trey Powell to run by. Rita Powell, from Yorktown, VA, stands behind them with two sign in her hands to support her son. (Astrid Riecken/The Washington Times)

About 30,000 participants run along the 26.2-mile stretch along the Potomac River near the Lincoln Memorial during the annual Marine Corps Marathon. (Astrid Riecken/The Washington Times)