HARTFORD, Conn — An engaged couple is proving that love does in fact always win after they both won the Eversource Hartford Marathon on Saturday.
28-year-old Alex Norstrom won the men's race in 2:17:56. 25-year-old Angie Rafter took first in the women's race finishing in 2:38:10.
Their love story started at Central Connecticut State University where they both ran cross country and track. They started dating during the pandemic.
"I got a message from one of the CCSU coaches, she was like let me know when the Hallmark movie comes out," said Rafter.
Norstrom grew up in Coventry, and Rafter grew up in Killingly. They currently live in Glastonbury.
The couple said their goal going into race day was to both win, and crossing the finish line first was not only a celebration of their hard work but also of their relationship.
"It's a really big thing for us. I think and I think our relationship grew a lot throughout this process. We learned a lot more about ourselves and each other," said Rafter.
"Not many people can say that they have done what we did yesterday as a couple like that, so that right there is the coolest thing about that," said Norstrom.
Rafter said she started struggling in the last mile but learning Norstrom had won helped her push through.
"The funny thing is when Angie finished, or when she was coming to the finish, they were announcing she's my wife and we're not married yet, so they were kind of jumping the gun," said Norstrom. "And also the funny part is, too, there was apparently someone, a justice of the peace there, and they were like, 'Oh, we can marry you right now.' And I was like, 'Oh my gosh! This is crazy!"
Norstrom and Rafter are still taking in the celebrations. They said they have no upcoming marathons scheduled, but there is one event they're looking ahead to that also requires a lot of preparation: their wedding, which is scheduled for next summer.
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