COEUR d’ALENE — Chelsea Keogh had her reasons for wearing a big smile and a blue shirt that read "Navy" as she neared the finish line of her first Coeur d’Alene half marathon Sunday.

“I want to be strong. I’m old now,” the Coeur d’Alene woman said. “I’m 40.”

The Navy reference was in honor of her son, Ethan, who will be joining the Navy with plans to become a pilot. He’ll be attending Tennessee State University on a scholarship, then begin his military career.

“It’s pretty awesome,” Ethan said of his mom's strong finish and her tribute. “Memorial Day is coming, so it means a lot.”

About 2,000 runners competed in the Coeur d’Alene Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K on a cool and cloudy morning. All four races started and finished at McEuen Park.

Sections of the races offered views of Lake Coeur d'Alene.

The event benefits the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation.

Some people wore colorful outfits like Jessica Canfield, Nathan Hope and Kristian Enghusen, all of Spokane, as each was outfitted in a tutu.

“They make you faster,” Canfield said.

Adults and kids raised their arms in triumph at the finish line.

Tatyana Kido, who completed the half marathon, picked up her 7-year-old son, Bryce, and gave him a big hug after he completed the 5K.

The Spokane woman said she introduced her son to running pretty much when he was a baby and he’s been at it ever since.

“I want him to do my sport that I love,” she said. “The hardest thing about running, you don’t do it until you’re older and think, ‘Oh, this is too hard.’ But if you grow up doing it, it’s a piece of cake, part of your nature.”

Richard and Nona Kay Barclay of Coeur d’Alene watched the race for the first time because they had relatives from Royal City, Wash., competing in the 5k and also staying at their home.

David Trail won in 17:32 while his dad, Roger Trail, won the 55 to 59 age group.

“We didn’t know they were that good,” Nona Kay Barclay said, laughing.

Neither did they.

“I didn’t think I was going to win my age group, but I did,” Roger Trail said.

His son was impressed.

“To see him get a good time feels pretty good,” he said.

Vincent Hamilton of Pullman, Wash., won the 26.2-mile marathon in two hours, 35 minutes and four seconds. Colin Livingston of Coeur d‘Alene was the top local finisher in 2:50:39.

Claudia Brinkruff of Greenfield, Ind., led the women in the full marathon in 3:05:29, while Coeur d’Alene’s Katie Rinne was second in 3:15:52.

Evan Peters of Portland, Ore., won the half marathon in 1:22:28, while Scott Giltner of Hayden was the top local finisher and third overall in 1:25:27.

Kai Sharbono of Spokane won the women’s field in 1:22:52. Brinnon Mandel of Coeur d’Alene was seventh in 1:38:17.

Oliver Bruck of Liberty Lake won the 10K in 37:28, with Coeur d’Alene’s Jonathan Tevis in third in 38:46.

Kari Hamilton was first among the women in 39:26, while Donya Zola-Neftin of Coeur d'Alene was the top local in 47:03.

Jared Anderson of Coeur d’Alene was second in the 5K in 18:11. Katie Conrad of Salt Lake City led the women in 18:36. Coeur d’Alene’s Brianne Weinberger was third in 21:13.

Some had higher thoughts than running.

Robbie Walden of Hayden and Cody Spencer of Coeur d’Alene arrived at the starting line of the half marathon carrying a 55-pound cross, but hoping — and praying — for help.

They got it when they met Lane Reardon of Post Falls.

“He was our gift from God to come and do it with us,” Spencer said.

Throughout the 13.1-mile race the men alternated with two holding the cross and one getting a break, shared testimonies and encouraged others.

Walden said they prayed for physical healing, for marriages, whatever people needed. He said prayers were answered.

"It was amazing, man," he said.

Walden wore a shirt that referenced a Bible verse, 1 Timothy 4:8, “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”

Reardon said running with the cross was a great opportunity to share their faith, so he was happy to join them.

“All glory to God,” he said.