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The Marine Corps Marathon

By , About.com Guide

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Marine Corps Marathon runners with the Washington Monument in the Background

Marine Corps Marathon runners with Washington Monument in the Background

Photo Credit: Courtesy of MarathonFoto

Description:

A weekend of fun surrounds this annual race, now in its 36th year. The beautiful course, which has appropriately earned the nicknames The Marathon of the Monuments and the People's Marathon begins in Arlington, Virginia, crosses into Washington, D.C., passing the Kennedy Center and numerous monuments and memorials, including the Lincoln, FDR, Korean War, Vietnam Veterans, and the new Martin Luther King, Jr. memorials, Washington Monument, and the U.S. Capitol. The course finishes in Arlington at the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial.

See pictures of previous races and some of the beautiful views along the course: Marine Corp Marathon Picture Gallery

Date and Starting Times:

  • Date - October 30, 2011

  • Starting Times - Marine Corps Marathon wheelchair and hand cycle participants start at 7:45 a.m. Marathon runners start at 8 a.m.

    Opening festivities begin at 7:00 a.m. on the morning of the race. Participants should plan to arrive two hours before start time to have time to go through the security checkpoint, drop off bags and line up in the proper corral designation based on expected finish time.

Marine Corps Marathon Weekend Events:

In addition to the main Marine Corps Marathon race, several great events throughout the weekend for runners, spectators and the public include:
  • The Health & Fitness Expo - A showcase of more than 200 exhibitors and interactive displays with free massages, food samplings and running industry experts

  • First Timers Pep Rally - Featuring a Q&A with the MCM Expert Panel, great music, cheerleaders, giveaways and more

  • MCM Runners Conference - A series of three 60-minute panel discussions featuring running experts, providing insights and advice about how to best prepare for the Marine Corps Marathon

  • Carbo Dining-In - An always sold-out pasta dinner for runners, their families and their friends

  • MCM Finish Festival - A post-race Finish Festival in Rosslyn featuring essential services, food, entertainment and giveaways

  • Other Runs - Other runs during the weekend include the Healthy Kids Fun Run on Saturday and the MCM10K on Sunday

Information For Spectators:

Due to many area road closures, traveling by Metro or bike are the recommended methods for getting around. The best viewing locations along the course include:
  • The MCM Start Line on Route 110 in Arlington, Virginia - For the opening ceremonies

  • The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. - Cross the Arlington Memorial Bridge for a good view of runners at miles 10 and 16

  • The National Mall in Washington, D.C. - Runners will travel along this area at miles 18 and 19

  • Crystal City, Virginia - Enjoy live music and entertainment, plus runners at miles 22 and 23

  • The U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial and Finish Line - Watch the final stretch as runners ascend to the finish line

  • New for 2011 - By registering for a new runner tracking program on the MCM website, runners and spectators will be able to receive continuous updates on a runner's personal Facebook and Twitter page, or via email or SMS text messaging. Starting October 20, 2011 MCM participants and spectators will be able to register for the updates free of charge at the Marine Corps Marathon website (see below).

    Also, a new mobile locator web application will enable spectators to obtain directions and approximate distances from their location to various sites along the marathon course. By opening an iPhone or Android phone browser to the locator website (see below) spectators will be able to view the location of mile markers, water points, transportation and food stations.

Additional Information:

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