Successful Miami marathon

Arva Moore Parks said that Julia Tuttle was one of the first to predict that Miami’s geography help it become known as an international city.

Here we are, more than 120 years later, talking about how international we are as a community.

I am humbly proud to say that the Miami Marathon has become a contributor to that reality. This past weekend, runners were so proud to show where they were from, and maybe this is why Julia Tuttle was only half right.

We are an international community not only because of our geography, but because of the welcoming nature of our people.

Over 21 percent of the runners were from outside the United States, and they came here because we celebrate their cultures.

The entire community of Miami-Dade County is eager to share Miami’s heart with others, and these visitors were so enthusiastic to share with us a piece of their homeland because we embrace the exchange.

On behalf of the staff at the Miami Marathon and the thousands of runners, we thank you, Miami-Dade County, Miami and Miami Beach, for working tirelessly for the 13th consecutive year.

This story was originally published January 27, 2015 at 9:20 PM with the headline "Successful Miami marathon."