More than 2,000 take part in annual El Paso Marathon

Thousands of runners hit the streets Sunday for the El Paso Marathon.

Runners told ABC-7 that they trained for months for the event that started bright and early Sunday morning. This year was the first time the marathon ended at the home of the El Paso Chihuahuas, Southwest University Park in downtown El Paso.

The Tropicana Homes Half Marathon and the TFCU 5k Run and Walk kicked off in downtown El Paso. At the same time, the Michelob Ultra El Paso Marathon started at the peak of Transmountain Road, at 5,200 feet.

Dylan Villescas, 22, of Las Cruces finished the full 26.2 miles in first place overall.

“That first 10k downhill is fast,” Villescas said at the finish line. “It beats up your legs for the rest of the race. So it was a very painful, sustained effort today.”

It was the ninth year of the Boston Marathon qualifier race, and things were slightly different from past years. One of those differences was that all three races finished at Southwest University Park.

“It’s awesome. I love it. I love that the crowd’s all around. It just energizes you,” Anita Perez said. She finished second overall and was the first female to finish the marathon. Perez returned home to El Paso from San Antonio to run the race.

“It was a little difficult. I was a little scared at first,” she said about the course.

With support at every corner, food and music, the event drew thousands from near and far.

More than 2,200 people participated in all three events.