By Sarah Fertsch
Staff Writer
In an inspiring display of endurance and emotion, Matthew Fick, 24, of West Chester, Pennsylvania, claimed first place in the 2024 Atlantic City Marathon with a time of 2:34:10. Running in honor of his late friend Bill Angelina, Fick’s victory was both a personal tribute and a competitive triumph.
Fick, a recent graduate of Elizabethtown College, had one clear goal as he lined up at the start: to improve on his previous marathon time of 2:50, set in May at the Buffalo Marathon. He wasn’t running alone in spirit. Two of his former college teammates, Devon Soto and Sagar Patel, also ran. Soto finished second in the half marathon, while Patel completed his first full marathon with a time of 3:07.
The Atlantic City Marathon, known for its flat and fast course, offered Fick the perfect opportunity to push his limits.
At mile 15, Fick surged past the second-place runner, and by mile 20, he had overtaken the leader. From there, adrenaline and the support of spectators along the Atlantic City Boardwalk helped propel him to the finish line.
“The last five miles were my most memorable,” Fick said. “There were a lot of people cheering, including runners going in the opposite direction and spectators along the boardwalk. Once I hit mile 26, I looked back and knew I was going to win. I decided to enjoy the last bit and celebrate.”
Fick dedicated the race to his friend Bill Angelina, who passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 25. Fick and his former teammates had planned to run the marathon together. Angelina, a Boston Marathon qualifier, had inspired many with his passion for running.
“I wrote one of Bill’s memorable quotes, ‘That’s all time,’ on my shoe, along with his name and a blue heart,” Fick said. “I know Bill was cheering from above the whole time.”
After crossing the finish line, Fick celebrated with friends and family at Gordon Ramsay’s Pub & Grill in Atlantic City.
Looking ahead, Fick is preparing for his next race: the Harrisburg Marathon on Nov. 10, followed by the Boston Marathon in the spring. But this victory, filled with personal meaning, will remain unforgettable.
To honor Bill Angelina’s memory and support heart health, donations can be made to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org.
