PITTSBURGH, PA — The Veterans Breakfast Club (VBC) proudly announces that retired Marine Corps Colonel Brad Washabaugh, a distinguished member of its Board of Directors, has been selected for induction into the Marine Corps Marathon Hall of Fame—a rare honor reserved for individuals who embody the spirit, resilience, and values of “The People’s Marathon.” His induction into the Marine Corp. Marathon Hall of Fame will be on October 24, 2025 at 6:30 pm at the Gaylord Resort in National Harbor, MD.
Washabaugh’s connection to the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) spans nearly half a century. At just 22 years old, he ran the very first Marine Corps Marathon in 1976, marking the beginning of what would become a lifelong commitment not only to running but to perseverance in the face of adversity. He has since completed more than 20 MCMs, including the inaugural Marine Corps 50K ultramarathon in 2019, and plans to run the 50th anniversary MCM in 2025—achieving the extraordinary milestone of completing marathons across five consecutive decades.
His path to the starting line was anything but guaranteed. At 18, Washabaugh survived a devastating motorcycle accident that nearly claimed his left leg. After multiple surgeries—including a bone graft from an unknown donor—he vowed never to take the ability to walk or run for granted. Running became both rehabilitation and mission. It eventually carried him into a 29-year career as a Marine Corps infantry officer, during which he served in Lebanon and during Operation Desert Storm, and earned honors including two Legions of Merit, a Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Biographical Information
“As is the case with many runners who have faced trauma, I ran early MCMs to overcome and prove,” Washabaugh reflected in his Hall of Fame submission. “Over the years I evolved to run in gratitude—for the gift of running, for the support of Marines on the course, and to inspire others to do hard things.”
Following his military retirement in 2005, Washabaugh continued to lead by example in the civilian sector, ultimately serving as Vice President of Facility Strategic Services at RTI International, while mentoring young veterans through the Travis Manion Foundation and supporting VBC’s mission of storytelling, healing, and community building.
“Brad represents everything the Marine Corps Marathon stands for—grit, humility, service, and endurance,” said Todd DePastino, Executive Director of the Veterans Breakfast Club. “His story is inspiring, and we are deeply honored to have him on our Board and even more honored to see him inducted into the Hall of Fame.”
