Staci Lahr got more than a medal at the end of the Twin Cities Marathon on Sunday. Tyler Hecht, her boyfriend of almost three years, was running alongside her until they crossed the finish line at 3 hours and 54 minutes. Then he dropped to one knee and held out an engagement ring.

"I was so happy to be done and I turned around and he was kneeling on the ground with this ring in his hand," said Lahr, of St. Cloud. "I was totally surprised. Just totally caught up in the moment."

As other runners continued crossing the finish line, an out-of-breath Lahr stumbled toward Hecht as he put the ring on her finger.

The crowd nearby cheered as Hecht picked her up.

Hecht said the couple met as fitness instructors at St. Cloud State University, and their first date was a running date. "I signed up for the marathon primarily to propose to her," said Hecht, of Somerset, Wis., adding that it took every ounce of energy he had to propose after the marathon.

In fact, Lahr said he later asked again to make sure he had heard her answer correctly.

Star Tribune, Star Tribune
Tyler Hecht swept up a shocked Staci Lahr moments after he proposed to her on one knee with a ring after they crossed the finish line of the Twin Cities Marathon holding hands on Sunday.

"Afterward, as we were walking away he said 'Well, you did say yes, right?' " Lahr said. "And I said 'Yes, a million times yes.' "

Karen Zamora