While some races can end in late drama sometimes they have a happier ending Man Proposes at Finish of Gasparilla Half Marathon, What to Know About Sydney McLaughlin.
This was the case when Slovakian runner Hana Burzalova was nearing the finish during the 35-kilometer race walk at the World Athletics Championships. As she was about to cross the line, fellow competitor Dominik Černý approached and got down on one knee. Cameras zoomed in on the jubilant Burzalova, who was all smiles as she passed the line and into his arms. Despite emotions running high, Burzalova remembered to first stop her watch before celebrating with her new fiancé. After Burzalova accepted, Černý could be seen throwing his fist into the air before carrying Burzalova away in his arms.
The fairy tale ending was just one more bright spot for the couple, as both Černý and Burzalova recorded personal and season’s best times at the event.
Černý, 25, placed 19th in the men’s race with his personal-best time of 2:32.56, while Burzalova, 22, recorded a season-best time of 3:02.47 and finished 28th in the women’s race.
“What I want to know is, did he carry that ring the whole competition or have it stashed away somewhere?” an announcer on the broadcast said.
If he’s anything like James Whelan, a runner who Races - Places during a race in Florida earlier this year, he may have had the ring stashed on him for the duration of the race. The director for the Pittsburgh Marathon says that finish-line proposals are so common during the race that they set up an official “proposal area” so as not to impede other runners at the race’s end.
If merely proposing isn’t enough for you, one couple took it a step further and wed halfway through the Detroit Marathon.
If you’re thinking of popping the question during your or your significant other’s next race, just remember, mid-race proposals aren’t for everyone.
Laura Ratliff is a New York City-based writer, editor, and runner. Laura's writing expertise spans numerous topics, ranging from travel and food and drink to reported pieces covering political and human rights issues. She has previously worked at Architectural Digest, Bloomberg News, and Races - Places Man Proposes at Finish of Gasparilla Half Marathon TripSavvy. Like many of us, Laura was bitten by the running bug later in life, after years of claiming to "hate running." Her favorite marathon is Big Sur.
