To Love a Myrtle Beach Marathon runner

There can be a lot of solitary in running a half marathon or marathon.

Some filled the space at Saturday’s Myrtle Beach Marathon between the 6:30 a.m. start and the finish line with music; some with simple companionship among other marathon runners passionate about running and self improvement. Otherwise, it can be a time for oneself.

That is until a runner sees his or her support system along the final stretch. The noisemakers and hoots and hollers get louder as the fruits of a marathoner’s labor come to a mostly glorious conclusion. There were sons, fathers, mothers, daughters and even some grandfathers and grandmothers crossing the finish line on Valentine’s Day and into the arms of loved ones who braved the 20-plus-degree weather to show support.

The newlyweds

Saturday’s marathon was the first since Allie Scalf and Isaiah Greer got married in August.

In fact, Saturday marked seven years since the couple, originally from Johnson City, Tenn., had their first date.

“We met in track practice the season before [their first date],” Greer said. “We both ended up getting scholarships collegiately and ran in college. Now we’re both about a year removed.

“This is our very first Valentine’s together as a married couple.”

Greer finished Saturday’s half marathon about 7 minutes ahead of his wife. Scalf said they chose the Myrtle Beach Marathon based on the recommendation of their friends.

“They said it was a good course, it’s nice and flat and you get to come to the beach,” Scalf said. “It was good. We definitely enjoyed it... We’ll come back and try for the marathon.”

The son

Thirteen-year-old Ronan Cassano has been running for two years, and on Saturday ran his first half marathon.

“I was transitioning sports and I was looking for something, and my parents decided that they wanted me to try cross country, and I did and I really liked it,” the Waxhaw, N.C., native said.

Ronan said he enjoyed Saturday’s excitement.

“It was very exciting at the beginning of it,” Ronan said. “It was kind of cold, but people were cheering you on.”

Two of those people cheering him on were his sister, Ana, and his mother Lisa. His father, Andrew, was running the half marathon, as well.

“It was a really good feeling to see my family,” Ronan said. “I was really tired.”

Lisa Cassano said Saturday was both “nerve-wracking and exciting.”

“He’s 13 and out in the middle of Myrtle Beach without a parent,” Cassano said. “Seeing him come down toward the finish line, I just felt like crying. I was so proud of him. He has a very strong mind and whatever he puts his mind to, he’s able to do.”

The fiance

Jason Weiss was at the finish line Saturday with a large bouquet of roses waiting for his fiance Tiffany Dobler.

This was Dobler’s first big race, which she had been training for since October.

“It was good until about mile 9 when my legs started cramping,” Dobler said. “It was good, but it was hard.”

The Myrtle Beach couple has been together for about a year and a half, and Dobler said seeing Weiss near the finish line made the trek worth it.

“It was awesome,” Dobler said. “I knew he would be there waiting for me.”

Weiss was all smiles after kissing his bride-to-be shortly after the race.

“I’m so proud of her,” Weiss said. “Support, that’s all I can give her.”

This story was originally published February 15, 2015 at 7:38 AM with the headline "To Love a Myrtle Beach Marathon runner."