MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- Cpl. Jon Kuklis, a Marine Corps Reservist, was today presented a stunning USMC Diver’s Automatic Wrist Watch from the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) for being the 1,775th Marine to cross the finish at the 37th MCM held on Sunday, Oct. 28in Arlington, VA and Washington, D.C. The award represents the year the U.S. Marine Corps was established.
Kuklis was thrilled to receive the award courtesy of Marathon Watch, in a ceremony held outside the MCM building at Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA.
He selected the MCMas his first marathon, completing the 26.2 mile course in 5:17:36. While accepting the award, Kuklis joked about his finishing time.
“It was my first marathon and quite the experience,” Kuklis said. “I did a bit worse than I expected, but I see now it paid off in the end.”
Kuklis, 25, is a resident of Odenton, VA, and a Reserve Military Police Officer stationed at Fort Dix, N.J. Three of his fellow Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron-472 attended the ceremony to celebrate Kuklis’ accomplishment.
Kuklis was among 2,400 Marines, and 6,288 service members from all branches of the military, who completed the largest MCM to date, which included 23,519 total finishers.
The Marathon Watch awarded to Kuklis features the Marine Corps logo.