A light breeze and overcast skies Saturday morning made for perfect running conditions for the fifth annual Major McClung Memorial Run at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

More than 225 people turned out to run either the 5K or 10K race in honor of Maj. Megan McClung, the first female Marine Corps officer killed in combat during the Iraq war. The annual event is organized by Megan’s parents, Mike and Re McClung of Coupeville, and Marine Aviation Training Support Group 53 at NAS Whidbey.

“We have a little over 200 runners this year,” Mike McClung said. “We had 500-plus runners for the same race that was held in Afghanistan.”

This year’s goal was to raise $10,000 to benefit the Semper Fi Fund, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to wounded Marines or other members of the armed forces injured in support of Marine forces.

“Megan sent us an email once telling us we wouldn’t believe how badly the soldiers in Iraq were being wounded,” Mike said. “So we knew she would have been doing something to help them.”

According to Mike, 99 people in Washington received help through the Semper Fi Fund last year, to the tune of nearly $750,000.

Just as Megan’s family knew she would have supported the Semper Fi Fund, they knew establishing the memorial run would be a good way to honor her memory. Megan was a devoted runner,  and even recreated a version of the Marine Corps Marathon in Iraq.

“This run is really about mind, body and spirit,” Mike said. “Megan felt running helped clear her mind, it kept her body in shape and it raised her spirits. She believed you can’t just be a drone sitting at a desk — you have to keep your health up.”

Participants in this year’s race had various reasons for wanting to run, but supporting a good cause and supporting their health ranked high among them.

“I think it’s a good cause,” said Marine 1st Lt. Kristine Wong. “I believe in the charity it benefits and it’s for another Marine.”

“It’s a good way to show support to the family and a good way to show support to the Semper Fi Fund,” agreed Catherine Schmidt, also a Marine 1st Lt. This was Schmidt’s first 10K.

“I started running for myself when I was in college,” she said. “It’s something I enjoy doing and it’s a great way to stay in shape. It’s a great stress reliever.”

Another first time racer was Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce executive director Jill Johnson, who completed the 5K.

“If ever there was a race to run, this was it,” Johnson said. “I wanted to do the Flightline Run at the centennial, but I chickened out. I was still scared to do this one, but I thought to myself, ‘she gave her life — I can run three miles.’”

One of the oldest participants in the 5K was 74-year-old Claire FitzGerald of Lynden, who walked the course. A former member of the Marine Corps Reserve, FitzGerald was there to show support to the McClung family and today’s Marines.

“I loved it,” FitzGerald said. “Getting my heart going and smelling the salt air, I loved it.”

New MATSG-53 commanding officer, Col. Bradley Close, ran the 10K course with a platoon of Marines, who chanted in cadence all the way to the finish line.

“Today we are honoring one of our own,” Close said during the award ceremony. “I can’t think of a greater cause.”

As the runners approached the finish line, Mike and Re McClung were there to cheer them on.

“Way to go! Way to go!” yelled Mike as one by one runners stepped on the blue timing pads.

“Nice Run! You’re comin’ in strong, comin’ in strong,” called Re. “Woot!”

In the end, 17-year-old Matthew Reith of Oak Harbor finished first in the 5K, while 17-year-old Brian Comer of Sammamish took first place honors in the 10K. Top female finishers were 17-year-old Adrianna Royal of Oak Harbor for the 5K and 43-year-old Robin Canell of Longbranch in the 10K.

Also up for grabs were two entries into the 36th annual Marine Corps Marathon, which will be held on Oct. 30 in Arlington, Va.

“The Marine Corps Marathon is turning into one of the premiere marathons in the country,” said MATSG-53 Chief Warrant Officer 3 James St. Pierre.

Winners of the of the entries into the sold-out marathon were 30-year-old Analiza Entrikin of Chesapeake, Va., and 38-year-old Jose Flores of Marysville.

There was one other competition at Saturday’s memorial run. Those interested could enter a raffle for a chance to drive a 2011 Porsche for a weekend. Use of the car was donated by Roger Jobs Motors in Bellingham, one of the event sponsors.

The raffle winner was Christi Wenzek from Clinton, who won the same prize last year, but was unable to take advantage of it.

“We’re definitely going to use it this year,” she said.