Marine Corps Marathon | Washington D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. / ARLINGTON, VA — On October 26, 2014, San Francisco yoga instructor, road cyclist, and endurance athlete Tony Eason completed the 2014 Marine Corps Marathon—known as “The People’s Marathon”—in Washington, D.C. and Arlington, Virginia. Eason ran the 26.2-mile event in tribute to the 26 years of military service of his father, Master Gunnery Sergeant Ralph Anthony Eason (E9).

Eason’s race experience was defined by remarkable physical resilience. One month prior to race day, during a long training run, Eason developed IT Band Syndrome. Despite being unable to run for an entire month leading up to the race due to the knee injury, he arrived at the Arlington start line determined to fulfill his commitment.

By mile 15 of the course, severe pain from the IT Band Syndrome set in. However, Eason powered through the remaining 11.2 miles with support from the course supporters and service members. Whenever U.S. Marine Corps personnel along the route cheered out “Master Guns,” Eason picked up his pace and pushed forward to cross the finish line.

“I took my tired ass over that finish line,” said Eason. “I could not have done it without the support of the United States Marines. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Semper Fidelis!”

An experienced athlete who has completed twenty 545-mile California AIDS Ride / AIDS/LifeCycle bicycle rides and the 2012 San Francisco Marathon, Eason draws heavily on his background as a Hatha Yoga teacher. A graduate of the Two-Year Advanced Teacher Training Program at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco and an apprentice to Senior Iyengar Teacher Janet MacLeod, Eason brings over two decades of yoga teaching experience to help students of all athletic backgrounds cultivate physical alignment, breath awareness, and mental focus.

Eason has also detailed his journey, training challenges, and race experience on his podcast, The Ynot Truth Podcast.