Marine Corps Marathon buzz is beginning around Washington at He's Fit

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Marine Corps Marathon buzz is beginning around Washington

Posted October 5, 2007 at 02:00 PM by Megan Hueter

Section: In The News, His Fitness, Cardio Training, His Health, Physical Health

The buzz is beginning to begin in the Washington, DC metropolitan area about an upcoming athletic event - the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM). As someone who resides in the area, I frequently see competitive runners and athletes out on the streets of DC, many lining trails along the Potomac as they train for the big upcoming event.

The Marine Corps Marathon will begin at 7:50 a.m. on Sunday, October 28, starting with the wheelchair and hand cycle participants. Runners will start at 8:00 a.m. and the MCM10K will kick off at 8:20 a.m.

In 1976, the first Marine Corps Marathon welcomed nearly 2,000 runners to the start line. Only five of those original runners have participated in every MCM. They are affectionately named “the Groundpounders”. Known for their dedication to the sport of running and their allegiance to “The People’s Marathon”, the five Groundpounders are staples on the course, rich with history, memories and the spirit of the MCM.

The annual marine marathon begins and finishes at the famous Marine Corps War Memorial, which observes its 60th anniversary of historic battle and glag-raising. The statue, portraying six servicemen who raised the American flag on the island,is inscribed, “In honor and in memory of the men of the United States Marine Corps who have given their lives to their country since November 10, 1775.”

Iwo Jima MCM Runners will see a few changes to the MCM in course in 2007. Similar to 2006, the 2007 USATF certified course starts in Arlington, VA, and winds its way through Rosslyn along Lee Highway before turning on Spout Run and the George Washington Parkway. Runners will experience a climb on Lee Highway in the first few miles of the new course, but are rewarded with a descent along Spout Run and the parkway. After crossing the Key Bridge into Georgetown, runners will be on familiar territory through the District of Columbia. The course passes the Kennedy Center before entering the National Mall and numerous monuments, memorials and landmarks, such as, the Lincoln, FDR, Korean War and Vietnam Veteran’s memorials, Washington Monument, and the U.S. Capitol. The marathon once again returns to Hains Point and “the Awakening” in East Potomac Park before passing the Jefferson Memorial. After crossing the 14th Street Bridge back to Virginia, runners will venture to Crystal City, return past the Pentagon and finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial. It is truly a beautiful course and aptly nicknamed “The Marathon of the Monuments.”

Thanks to ChampionChip technology, runners true finish time will be recorded after crossing the start mat, regardless of the gun time, and reflected in the chip score available after the marathon. However, gun time will be utilized in determining awards for the top three male and female finishers. All other awards are calculated by chip time. The course will close at 3:30 p.m. and all runners must reach the finish by this time.

Immediately, following the presentation of the medal, runners may have their finish photo taken in front of the Marine Corps War Memorial by MarathonFoto. There is no greater image to reflect the commitment and dedication required to finish a marathon than a runner proudly wearing the MCM finisher medal in front of the Marines hoisting the flag on Iwo Jima.

Runners participating with charity groups may then cross the parade deck to Charity Rally Point at the foot of the Netherlands Carillon. All runners, however, are invited into the Finish Festival in Rosslyn presented by AT&T. Here runners and families may reunite in the Family Link Up area, receive a post-race massage, pick up bags at the UPS trucks and enjoy other entertainment, food and sponsor-hosted activities.

Research sources and for more information: [Marine Corps Marathon Website]; [picture1]