Marathon runner repeats win, proposes to girlfriend at the finish line

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) - A marathon runner decided to make his winning finish even more special by proposing to his girlfriend.

Will Loevner, of Pittsburgh, was the winner of the 47th Cleveland Marathon, finishing with a time of 2 hours, 19 minutes and 44 seconds.

His girlfriend Emma Patterson cheered him on as he crossed the finish line.

Moments after winning, Loevner got down on one knee and proposed to Patterson. She quickly said yes and sealed it with a kiss.

Loevner said that although he appreciated his new trophy, his new favorite piece of metal is “that ring on her finger.”

Loevner also won the same marathon in 2023, making him a repeat champion.

Last year’s marathon was his first marathon race, according to the Cleveland Marathon’s website. He finished with a time of 2 hours, 19 minutes and 56 seconds.

Ashton Swinford, of Hudson, Ohio, won her third straight Women’s Cleveland Marathon with a total time of 2 hours, 51 minutes and 16 seconds. Kari Barclay placed first in the non-binary division with a time of 3 hours, 28 minutes and 8 seconds.

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