Local runner pops the question while running Boston Marathon

By Alana Cerrone

acerrone@abc6.com

@Alana_Cerrone

Bronson Venable says he’s on Cloud 9. He just placed 122nd overall in this year’s Boston Marathon.

But for Venable, who lives in Exeter, RI, the real victory didn’t come at 26.2 miles…instead it came at mile 26.

That’s where he proposed to his girlfriend of 3 years, who was cheering from the sidelines.

"As soon as I dropped down on one knee she’s like what’re you doing!? And everyone starts freaking out…"

His fiancé, Cait McGarry, says, "I was like you’re supposed to be going that way you’re not supposed to be coming over here…he was shaking I was shaking I think he almost put the ring on the wrong hand."

Then he took off for the finish line. "After that I took off sprinting I think I sprinted the last .2 all out cause I was so happy."

"He’s so dedicated and passionate about it I’m glad we could incorporate something he loves with our day."

Venable says he bought the ring in October, and thought the marathon was the perfect stage for his engagement.

"I knew as soon as I met her she was gonna be the one…like I said I knew she thought the day was for me…but I wanted to make sure that was a day for her."

Even for Venable, who’s been running since he was 8 years old, The Boston Marathon is a challenge.

But when asked what he was more nervous about?

“Definitely the proposal…it was definitely the proposal."

Venable says he was going to hold the ring in his pocket while he ran, but was too nervous to lose it, so he let his future brother-in-law hold it for him on the sidelines.

© WLNE-TV 2016