Wanda Schmitt is a Marine mom and a volunteer with Marine Parents. This is Wanda’s very first marathon. She rediscovered her childhood love of running in 2005 when she entered a triathlon with her teenage daughter. In 2006 she started a more serious training program which prepared her to participate in two triathlons, a 10K run, the Boot Camp Challenge in San Diego CA, and she finished up the 2006 race season with a half marathon.

Wanda is running in honor of our Operation PAL™ Marines and Navy Corpsman whose stories have been a source of inspiration to her. She is impressed by the strength and spirit she has witnessed from speaking to them and their family members.

“Whenever training starts to feel too difficult, I just think about all the pain and struggles our injured Marines have to live through. I figure I have both of my legs, both of my arms, my vision and I have not been burned. I talk myself right back into trying harder and NEVER giving up”

Wanda hopes to finish the race in 6 hours.