Matthew Leonard won the inaugural Nauvoo Marathon on April 25 with a time of 3:06:15, maintaining an impressive seven-minute mile pace throughout the 26.2-mile race. At 20 years old and a University of Missouri student studying nutrition and exercise physiology, Leonard trains six days a week, running about 55 miles weekly. Despite not having a high school running background, he took up running last year and completed only his second marathon in Nike Vaporfly 3 shoes.

The marathon started at the Hancock County Courthouse in Carthage and finished at the Willard Richards Inn in Nauvoo, covering rural roads with volunteer support and professional timing by ShaZam Racing. Thirteen runners from five states participated, with Amanda Garner of Utah as the top female finisher. Organized by Barb Garey to honor the 1844 horseback ride of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, the event aims to become an annual tradition to draw runners and visitors to Nauvoo.