COEUR d’ALENE — For nearly all of the 26.2-mile Coeur d’Alene Marathon on Sunday, Todd Curtis pushed Anthony Eastman in his racing wheelchair.

But as they closed in on the finish line, the Post Falls man stood up and began running, flashing the number one with his finger, while Curtis grinned.

The Team Hoyt duo completed the race in just under four hours, and that was with a flat tire with a half-mile to go.

“We had to make it happen,” said Curtis, of Coeur d’Alene.

It was Eastman’s first marathon, one he wanted to do to prove he could.

“I put my mind to it,” he said.

Both men said the hills were tough on the course that went along Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive toward Higgens Point, but they never faltered.

“Mindset,” Curtis said. “All mindset. Dug deep and went for it.”

About 1,800 runners and walkers took part in the Coeur d’Alene marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K on a cool, Sunday morning, starting and ending at McEuen Park.

After two years of COVID-19 precautions, races were back to normal, with single starting times for each distance rather than waves over several hours. Many of the participants were from other states.

Erik Benrud of Bloomington, Ind., won the men’s marathon in 2 hours, 48 minutes and 56 seconds. Vincent Hamilton of Portland was second in 2:56:43, while Colin Livingston of Coeur d’Alene was third and the top local finisher in 2:58:51.

Bailey Ayers of Omak, Wash., topped the women in 3:18:15, followed by Marissa Mount of Seattle in 3:21:24 and Bekah McGuire of Portland, Ore., in 3:29:50.

McGuire was greeted with lots of hugs and high-fives from her adoring family. It was her first marathon in 13 years, motivated to join her sisters also going the distance.

"I felt good about it. I'm glad it's over," she said as she headed for her medal.

Katie Rinne of Coeur d’Alene was the top local marathoner in 3:35:59.

Runners enjoyed refreshments and music, recounted the day, and posed for pictures when they were done.

Seventy-five-year-old Mariann Bethke of Coeur d’Alene finished the 5K in 39:11 and was delighted she and a younger runner encouraged each other along the way.

“I prayed for no rain,” she said, as sweat dripped down her face.

Her prayer was answered.

Her sister, Kris Bybee-Finley, came out from Houston to cheer her on.

“I think she’s the most incredible person,” she said.

Jim Howey of California gave a double thumbs-up as he finished the 10k. It was his first time running here.

"Nice and scenic," he said of the course.

Alanna Figurelli of Boise finished the half marathon in 2:09:12, then rooted wildly for her friend, Olivia Pecora of Garden City, who finished in 2:42:38.

Both said they had a great time and enjoyed the course with lake and river views.

“I loved it. That was a good one,” Figurelli said.

“This is like the best I’ve done,” Pecora said.

Adam Mayer of Coeur d’Alene finished the marathon, his first, in 3:27:25.

He said he felt strong the first 13 miles, but the last six “were a grind.”

“The hills killed me, but I just tried to maintain a steady pace,” he said.

Mayer said despite tightening hamstrings, he was determined to “push through, no matter what happens,” and break 3:30, which was his goal.

“I beat that,” he said, smiling and happily holding up a medal.

Brothers Christian Kuplack, 21, and David Kuplack, 19, of Post Falls, finished together in 3:29:50, then shared a huge hug.

It was Christian’s fourth marathon, and David’s first, so the older brother acted as pacer for the younger.

It worked.

“The last 10 miles were pretty rough,” David Kuplack said. “Because of him, I was able to keep up.”

Christian was glad they stuck together and proud to have been there for his brother.

“Amazing feeling,” he said.

About 225 people completed the full marathon, 840 the half, nearly 400 the 10K and about 350 finished the 5K.