In an inspiring blend of athleticism and romance, an Arizona couple has turned their wedding day into a memorable celebration by completing a half marathon just hours before exchanging vows. Gilbert residents Matt Sopha, 46, and Kasie Joyner, 38, kicked off their special day by participating in the GOVX San Diego Half Marathon on March 22.
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The duo, who have run this particular half marathon annually since they met, say that there was no better way to start their wedding celebrations. Joyner was filled with exhilaration as she recalled hearing shouts of “Congratulations!” from fellow runners throughout the race. “It was so exciting,” she remarked, finishing her race in an impressive one hour and 46 minutes, a personal best for her.
Sopha explained the couple’s motivation behind choosing this race, revealing that Kasie’s first half marathon took place at this same event eight years prior. “We were going to run it anyway, and the date was perfect for our story,” he stated. “Now we have the best excuse to go back to San Diego to celebrate our anniversary every year!”
As they crossed the finish line, the couple donned customised running outfits that Sopha designed himself, complete with bridal and groom motifs. They were also joined by three close friends who participated in the race as part of their wedding party. The joyous atmosphere continued as friends and family cheered the couple on, further elevating the celebratory mood.
“I always feel incredible when finishing a race, but I won’t lie, this one was easily the best one yet,” Sopha expressed. “Crossing the finish line holding Kasie’s hand, knowing we were about to get married—it was simply perfect.”
Their love story dates back to an encounter at the 2012 Phoenix Comicon, where Sopha, a dedicated Trekkie, met Joyner while she sought autographs from Star Trek stars for her father. Eleven years later, amid a fan event with William Shatner, Sopha proposed, marking the beginning of their wedding planning and training for the half marathon on Shatner’s birthday.
After their invigorating run, the couple returned to the venue, Cuvier Club in La Jolla, in a whirlwind of activity. “Downtime? Nope. Not a single moment. The whole day was a lot of exciting, ‘Go, go, go!’” Sopha said, noting that the excitement never waned. Contrary to some assumptions from friends who believed they might feel stressed or fatigued, the couple found the race to be the perfect start to their wedding day.
“We weren’t tired at all; we were energised to exchange our vows,” Joyner asserted. “In fact, I suspect I was more sore the day after from all the dancing than I was from the half marathon.” Their wedding ceremony took place at a nearby park, with friends and family excitedly awaiting their arrival for the reception.
Recalling the moments leading up to the ceremony, Joyner humorously noted, “After the race, I told Matt, ‘Okay, the fun part of the day is over, now let’s go do the hard part!’ I was joking, of course. But the half marathon truly was pure fun.” The couple enjoyed the excitement inherent in preparing for their vows, from hair and makeup to finalising their vows.
Sopha shared his deep emotions during the ceremony, revealing, “I married the best person I’ve ever met in my life. Everything I like about my life and everything I like about myself is because of her.” His words reflected the profound impact that Joyner has had on his life since they embarked on their running journey together.
Both Sopha and Joyner were not avid runners when they first met, but a charity run ignited their passion for the sport. Their shared experiences have cultivated a strong bond, evident in their dedication to running together. “Now I’m counting down the days until our next race,” Joyner mentioned, looking ahead to the couple’s participation in the Berlin Marathon in September.
As they begin this new chapter together, the couple remains excited about honouring their annual half marathon tradition while simultaneously nurturing their relationship. With each passing year, they look forward to celebrating their love through shared goals and mutual encouragement, proving that for them, running is more than just a sport; it is an inseparable part of their journey together.