CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Thousands of people from different parts of the world travel to Corpus Christi to participate in the yearly Beach to Bay Relay Marathon, but experienced runner Clent Mericle has a special connection to this event.
He ran in the first Beach to Bay when his friend, retired Navy Captain John Butterfield, organized the race in 1977.
"He called me up that afternoon and picked me up in his orange Volkswagen Baja Bug and we drove off 26.6 miles and ran it the next day," Mericle said.
Beach to Bay is one of Mericle's favorite races not just because of the beautiful scenery, but the opportunity to honor Butterfield.
"Well it's special, but for me, John Butterfield, it was his wish," Mericle said. "Last time he was here said I want to see you get to 50 and I think I can."
Although the course has changed over the years, Mericle said the idea of bringing people together hasn't.
"But the personality stayed the same, that first year people had fun and liked the idea. It's just a unique relay," he said.
Mericle said Butterfield would be proud of how big this relay has become.
"It was big for then, it was popular then and it's gotten more so over the years," he said.
This race brings back a lot of memories for Mericle and he hopes to continue to make more.
"I always thought of it kind of as a family reunion, which there's five of my team members here now and I've known these guys -- all but one that I met today -- but all the rest of them we go way back," Mericle said.
Mericle said his 'Over the 60's' team is happy to have ran together this year and will return to the 48th Beach to Bay to win it all.
