Despite the impending arrival of Hurricane Sandy, 30,000 runners participated in the 37th annual Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, with first-time marathoner and former University of Alabama track star Augustus Maiyo finishing first in a time of 2:20:17.

Maiyo bested friend and fellow member of his training team, Kenneth Foster, who finished second in a time of 2:22:20. Both men were representing the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program in Colorado Springs. Ethiopian native Birhanu Tadesse finished third with a time of 2:23:03.

The first female runner to cross the finish line was Hirut Guangul of Ellicott City, Md., completing the race in a time of 2:42:06. She was followed by Abebe Wayinshet Hailu, clocking in at 2:47:03, and Erin Richard, who posted a time of 2:48:10. Richard actually led the women for the first 19 miles of the race.

Sunday's runners were spared from any major weather problems, as temperatures were in the low 60s for the race and the rain held off. However, racers were subjected at times to winds gusting up to 17 mph.