Mile 3

The 5K marker was visible at a distance. Matt increased his pace subconsciously.
"Did you sign up your friends to get wireless updates of your split time?" Paris asked knowingly.
"Yes I did! My cousin in New York will double his LLS donation if I cross the finish line".
"It's a long way to go. Slow down, Speedy", Marriane piped up.
Matt loved his running group. Some were marathon virgins like him.

Excerpt from work in progress fiction "Agony in Ecstasy: A First Time Marathoner's Story, Mile 3, i.e. Chapter 3