To say that James Makokis and Anthony Johnson were excited to tie the knot may be an understatement.
The First Nations couple quite literally raced towards the altar during the Bank of Montreal’s annual Vancouver Marathon on Sunday.
The unusual ceremony took place at the race’s 32-kilometre mark, where Makokis and Johnson took a short break from running to exchange vows before an officiant on English Bay Beach.
“We wanted to do something fun and different,” Johnson told CTV Vancouver on Sunday.
“And special and unique and exciting,” Makokis added.
The pair had already committed to training together for the long-distance run when they were engaged, so they figured what better place to demonstrate their commitment to each other than at the marathon itself.
“It’s definitely motivating for your run time if you’re getting married,” Johnson said with a laugh.
The creative couple threw on black blazers over their tuxedo-design black T-shirts and stood on the beach in their shorts and running shoes.
Makokis and Johnson officially tied the knot in front of a small gathering of close family and friends before they headed back out to finish the race.
“We have the biggest wedding party,” Makokis said.
Johnson joked about their unusual wedding’s affordability.
“All the guests with none of the payment,” he said.
With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Michele Brunoro
