Anthony Johnson and James Makokis neared the 20-mile mark of the Vancouver Marathon and their adrenaline levels amplified. Their running T-shirts mimicked tuxedos and water belts hung around their waists. The couple surveyed the horizon as a teepee came into view on English Bay Beach.
“Once we saw the setup from the other side of the bay, it was a moment of excitement and anticipation,” Johnson said. “You kind of just mentally switch modes from marathon to marriage.”
Johnson and Makokis, 31 and 35, jogged slightly off-course and were married in the teepee during the Vancouver Marathon on May 7. Not wanting to let the wedding affect their performance in the race, they quickly removed their water belts, slipped into tuxedo jackets and marched down the aisle.
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During the ceremony, they bounced their knees up and down, keeping their legs warm for the 10K that was to come. As soon as they finished posing for photos, they removed the tuxedo jackets, geared up, and ran to the finish line as a married couple.
The pair got engaged in July and were looking for a convenient, fun way to tie the knot. Earlier this year, Makokis began training for an ultra-marathon and Johnson was training for the Vancouver Marathon, his first 26.2. That’s when the idea struck Makokis.
“We kind of started seeing marathon training as a metaphor for a relationship in terms of you have to put in the work and you have to have a good attitude,” Johnson said. “So we thought it would be a great way to celebrate our union by getting married.”
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The creative nuptials were also a nod to the couple’s culture. Makokis is Cree from Saddle Lake in Canada and Johnson is Navajo from Arizona. This led to the idea of a pop-up teepee and the incorporation of medicines used by their people for healing.
Makokis and Johnson expected a few close friends and family members to be in attendance, but as word of the ceremony spread on social media, more people wanted to experience the wedding. The audience ranged from relatives who drove 15 hours from Alberta, to tour groups.
When the 30-minute ceremony ended, wedding attendees headed to the finish line to watch Makokis and Johnson cross as a married couple. The announcer broadcasted their new partnership and the crowd cheered. “It was a really magical way to end the race,” Johnson said.
Makokis said training for this was the first time he’d ever ran with a significant other, something he’d always wanted to do because running is an important part of his life and culture.
“We are actually honoring our peoples’ way of life in terms of looking out for each other,” Makokis said. “When we do that together it is that much more special.”
The couple had run smaller road races together before the marathon, and are looking for their next race. Running together is helpful for their relationship, Johnson said, because it provides technology-free alone time, perfect for serious discussions.
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“It’s hard to be angry when you’re running and it’s hard to use extra words that aren’t productive when you’re trying to breathe and focus on your pace,” Johnson said.
Though The Vancouver Marathon was Johnson’s first race at that distance, Makokis is a seasoned runner, which Johnson said helps motivate him.
“It’s helpful because I am so ready to just watch ‘Game of Thrones’ on Saturday instead of going for a practice run and James is like, ‘If you don’t get off the couch, you’re not going to finish the race,’” Johnson said. “So having that motivation and partnership is really helpful and enlivens the whole experience.”
