The Marine Corp Marathon was first staged in Arlington, Virginia in 1976 with 1,175 participants. More than thirty years later, registration has grown to more than 20,000 runners, including elite athletes and charity fundraising team members. The Marine Corp Marathon is the fifth largest U.S. marathon.
Registration and Pre-Race Information for the Marine Corp Marathon
Registration for the runner slots begins in April. Online registration will be available, and runners who participate in other 2009 and 2010 marathons (including Chicago, Disney, and Boston) can get a code for guaranteed Marine Corp Marathon entry at the expos of those events.
The Marine Corp Marathon Health and Fitness Expo begins on the Friday before race day and continues on Saturday. The expo, which is held at the Washington Convention Center, has had more than 200 exhibitors in recent years, showing and selling the latest in running shoes, gear, apparel, nutrition, and gadgets.
The Expo also serves as the packet pick-up location. Registrants or a representative of the registrant must present themselves for packet pick-up. Packets include the runner’s bib number, timing chip, and baggage claim ticket. The event bag, shirt, and other commemorative items are picked up at the Expo as well.
On Saturday evening, Marine Corp Marathon participants are invited to attend a pasta buffet dinner called the Carbo Dining In. A guest speaker and live music are included in the event.
Race Day at the Marine Corp Marathon
The Marine Corp Marathon has an 8:00 a.m. start time, with the race beginning in Grant Park. The majority of runners will begin in a mass start, corralled based on projected pace and finish time. Course records (current as of 2009) are 2:14:01 for the men, held by Jeff Scuffins and set in 1987, and 2:37:00 for the women, set in 1990 by Olga Markova.
The Marine Corp Marathon course closes at 3:30 p.m., giving runners a generous 7 hours and 30 minutes to complete the 26.2 miles. However, a 14:00 minute/mile pace is necessary to ‘beat the bridge’ – the 14th Street Bridge, at approximately mile 19 – which reopens to regular traffic at 1:15 p.m.
Celebrities Who Have Completed the Marine Corp Marathon
The Marine Corp Marathon has drawn many famous participants, although the most well-known is Oprah Winfrey, who ran the 1994 event in 4 hours 29 minutes. Other celebrity runners include news anchor Charles Gibson (3 hours 43 minutes), Al Gore (4 hours 54 minutes), and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (3 hours 11 minutes).
The 2010 Marine Corp Marathon will be held on Sunday, October 31st. It will be the 35th running of the event. Complete details can be found at the race website.
Dianna Brodine - Dianna is a professional writer and editor with more than 15 years of experience in the publishing, marketing, fundraising, and insurance ...
Join the Conversation