oN THe MoVe

Since 2010, the Marine Corps Marathon Organization (MCMO) has honored an individual whose outstanding contributions to the Marine Corps Historic Half, the running community and the City of Fredericksburg are unmatched. This year, it was deemed that two individuals are to be honored with the 2023 Oscar Mike Award. Fitting as these two made a pretty good team…

KiM HERbERt

Kim Herbert and her husband moved to Fredericksburg almost 35 years ago where they raised their two sons. Herbert quickly became involved with the City of Fredericksburg as a contractor to put on the First Night in Fredericksburg, a New Year’s Eve celebration.

With the impending Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center, the city began focusing on tourism and needed a part-time staff to head up the initiative. Herbert’s experience in event planning made her an ideal fit.

Looking to bring a new event to a new area, members of the Marine Corps Marathon Organization approached the City of Fredericksburg about what would become the Marine Corps Historic Half Events. As this new endeavor would require all departments of the City to work intimately together, it became the responsibility of the Special Events Committee with Herbert serving as the Co-Chair along with Fredericksburg Police Department Captain Mike Presutto. It was in these meetings that the Historic Half truly came together as all parties worked out logistics, operations and more.

Herbert’s part of the operation was to oversee all the event permits and communicate to the residents, businesses and churches about all aspects of the Historic Half. In the first year, this was especially challenging, “as many organizations were highly doubtful and didn’t want it (the event) to be on a Sunday. Did not want it running through downtown,” explained Kim. “They just did not see what we saw. Did not see the impact of what it could be.”

However, in May of 2008, all the hard work came together as the inaugural Marine Corps Historic Half welcomed runners from various states and countries. “I have always loved large-scale events, and seeing the Marine Corps do it was just phenomenal and watching a well-oiled machine,” said Herbert.

It was that first year that Herbert contributes as her most memorable. “It was amazing on the day of - the energy and the excitement and what it brought to the city was just so cool,” expressed Herbert. “The event ran, and the streets were open just like they said they would be open. They said downtown was going to be open at 9:30. Guess what? It was open at 9:20. One thing we (the city) always loved is that the streets were always cleaner, even before they had the event. It just showed you the pride and the determination that the Marine Corps has to put on an event and to do it right and leave things even better.”

Following the success of the first year, getting the community on board become easier. “Organizations were calling to find out how they could be a part of it. How can we do this? How can we do that? To this day, there are groups out there that rearrange staff, rearrange church times because they now know and are excited for everyone to come,” stated Herbert.

Herbert even enjoyed the festivities one year herself by participating in the weekend when it included the Semper Fred 5K, an event no longer offered. “I did it because I wanted to know the feeling of crossing that line,” said Herbert. “Sure enough, I crossed the line and cried because I was so excited in that feeling of accomplishment and all those people cheering for you.”

Her 5K finish was a one and done as Herbert now prefers to spend her Marine Corps Historic Half Sunday cheering on runners from her residence in Downtown Fredericksburg along with her grandchildren. “They are out there early in the morning, cheering them (runners) on. We put a sprinkler out there when it’s hot. It’s been so much fun to share that now with them,” expressed Herbert. This year, Herbert plans to greet her husband at the finish line as he completes the Semper 5ive. Still, old habits die hard, and Herbert knows she will still be watching for that thing that could go wrong. “The Marine Corps did teach me you’re looking for anything and always on high alert,” stated Herbert. “It will be interesting to pull that back and say that it isn’t my job. It will be fun to relax and really enjoy the other runners knowing that the city is in such good hands.”

Herbert officially retired from the City of Fredericksburg in December 2022 after 21 years. Her role as the city liaison was paramount in the development of an idea to an annual event. Her dedication and expertise have been crucial to the last 15 years of the Historic Half Weekend. Without her, the Historic Half wouldn’t be “on the move” for all these years.

“I just always see us as a team. The city is a team, and we work as a team with the Marine Corps who is an excellent team,” expressed Herbert. “To pull me out of that team is just incredibly nice, incredibly special. This will solidify my final farewell.”