So sweet! Breathless & exhausted after the Lakefront Marathon's 26.2 miles, man proposes to girlfriend!

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Thousands pounded the pavement on Sunday, October 5th as part of the annual Lakefront Marathon. While everyone's a winner after completing 26.2 miles, FOX6 found a spectator who feels like she came out on top!

In the early morning chill, thousands put their best foot forward in the 34th annual Lakefront Marathon.

3,100 runners from around the world worked to complete 26.2 miles.

"Met a gal from San Francisco, a guy from Rhode Island and we have international runners coming from seven different countries," Lakefront Marathon Race Director Jon Mueller said.

Some came for the competition, and others to support loved ones taking on the 26.2 miles.

"Variety is the spice and that`s what we like. We like a nice variety of people here and just everybody having fun," Mueller said.

The race started at Grafton High School and ended along Milwaukee's Lakefront. That's where friends and family members gathered to cheer on their loved ones.

Lauren Premke and her mother were keeping an eye out for Lauren's boyfriend, John.

"He runs half-marathons, marathons, Tough Mudders -- he does it all," Lauren Premke said.

Lauren has cheered her boyfriend on at each of his races. He has run 23 races during their 10-month relationship, and just before he crossed the finish line on Sunday, he kissed his girl.

"Which is so sweet. He`s just such a nice guy, such a sweetheart," Lauren's mother, Sherri Premke said.

And then -- a big surprise! Breathless and exhausted after 26.2 miles, John got down on one knee and asked Lauren to be his wife. Lauren said 'yes.'

"They`re very lucky to have each other," Sherri Premke said.

As for the race's top finishers, Nick End, a Shorewood native now living in Pittsburgh finished first for the men, at 2 hours and 27 minutes.

Melissa Gacek of St. Paul, Minnesota was the top women's finisher, with a time of 2 hours and 54 minutes.

FOX6 News also got word of an 80-year-old man finishing the Lakefront Marathon Sunday -- marking his 48th marathon! Congratulations to O.T. Lupinski, who has completed his 400th race!

Lupinski's son says his father didn't start running until he was 55. His goal was to run a marathon at the age of 80.



CLICK HERE to learn more about the annual Lakefront Marathon.

CLICK HERE to access Lakefront Marathon results.