Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
September 02, 2025
Marine Corps Marathon's Final Groundpounder Finds Home at Ashby Ponds
TLDR
- Al Richmond gained distinction as the Marine Corps Marathon's longest running Groundpounder, completing all 42 races since 1976 and setting an unmatched endurance record.
- Al Richmond ran every Marine Corps Marathon from 1976 to 2017, totaling 42 consecutive races while overcoming injuries and maintaining rigorous training throughout his career.
- Al Richmond's 42-year marathon dedication inspired family unity and community support, demonstrating how perseverance creates lasting connections and positive role modeling.
- Al Richmond began marathon running after a locker room challenge, eventually completing 52 total marathons including three Boston races alongside incredible family support.
Impact - Why it Matters
This story demonstrates the transformative power of senior living communities in providing fulfilling retirement experiences while maintaining residents' identities and passions. For aging adults and their families, it highlights how modern senior living options like Ashby Ponds offer more than just housing - they provide vibrant communities where residents can continue pursuing their interests, form meaningful connections, and enjoy maintenance-free living without sacrificing the activities they love. The Richmonds' experience shows that moving to a senior community can enhance quality of life rather than diminish it, addressing common concerns about losing independence or social connections in later years.
Summary
Retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Al Richmond has achieved the extraordinary distinction of being the Marine Corps Marathon's final "Groundpounder" - a title reserved for those who completed every single 26.2-mile race since its inception in 1976. After running alongside his daughter Elisa in his last four marathons and being cheered on by his wife Kitty, their six children, and fifteen grandchildren, Al retired from the race following the 42nd annual event in 2017. His remarkable journey began unexpectedly in a Pentagon locker room conversation and included completing ten additional marathons, including three Boston Marathon finishes, with his most memorable race coming in 1990 when he ran just six months after a serious injury.
Following his final marathon, Al and Kitty began planning their vibrant retirement and discovered Ashby Ponds, an Erickson Senior Living community in Ashburn, Virginia. Influenced by their friends David and Janice Mitchell who lived at the community, the Richmonds explored Ashby Ponds and were immediately captivated by the exceptional amenities and dining options available. The decision to move meant leaving the historic Arlington home built by Al's grandmother in 1910, but the couple has never regretted their choice, finding the community filled with friendly residents and endless activities that keep them engaged and fulfilled.
The Richmonds have discovered amazing connections at Ashby Ponds, including learning that their next-door neighbor was sworn into the U.S. Coast Guard by Al's father, former four-star admiral Alfred C. Richmond. They continue to enjoy the activities they loved before moving, including trips to Nationals Park, concerts, and lectures, proving that senior living communities like Ashby Ponds offer comprehensive lifestyle experiences that maintain residents' passions and social connections while providing carefree retirement living.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by citybiz. Read the original source here, Marine Corps Marathon's Final Groundpounder Finds Home at Ashby Ponds
