What's a FootNote?
Looking for a unique way to show support for a runner, training partner
or first time marathoner? Use MCM FootNotes. FootNotes are three-line personalized messages to be featured in the MCM
Race Program. These messages let a runner know of your support.
A FootNote costs $19 and includes a bold headline with up to 25 characters (includes spaces) and a two-line message up
to 40 characters per line including spaces. Everyone who places a FootNote will be eligible to win a pair of tickets to
the MCM Pasta Party
on Saturday, October 25th. Please type your FootNote, make sure you meet the space restrictions and send a check payable
to: The Marine Corps Marathon, attn. FootNotes, P.O. Box 188 Quantico, VA 22134. The deadline to place a FootNote is August 15.
Free Runner Health Clinics
Join Dr. David M. Brody, Vice President of the International Medical Marathon
Directors Association, orthopedic surgeon and MCM veteran, for any or all of his three free Runner Health Clinics at George
Washington University in Ross Hall, Room 101.
Dr. Brody will be sharing valuable information for runners of all ability levels.
The clinics will be held on Saturday, August 9 and Saturday, September 6 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Additionally, Dr. Brody will be speaking at the Marine Corps Marathon Speakers
Symposium on Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25 at noon at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City during the MCM Runners' Expo
presented by AdvancePCS.
New MCM/Brooks Store
Training is getting serious, long runs are becoming routine and the body is
feeling more capable and fit with every passing workout. Record your
marathon training in an exclusive MCM training log offered by Brooks, free
with any purchase of $50 or more.
 Once again Ken Berger, USMC Major (ret) will be an essential part of Marathon weekend providing entertainment and narration to the
start and finish. Berger, who has traveled the country working numerous sporting events, considers the MCM to be one of the best.
"The reason I have come back since 1996 is because it is well organized and full of top notch people," said Berger.
Race Director Rick Nealis feels "the multi talented Ken Berger, as an announcer
and an entertainer, has added a totally different dimension to the Marine Corps Marathon. For the past six years, Ken's music has
added an extra bounce into thousands of runners from the start of the race to the finish."
Berger announces the names of all runners as they cross the finish line.
Spotters help identify runners; champion chip information sent to the computer screen in front of Berger adds additional data; and ol' reliable
binoculars are called upon when all else fails. Berger has participated in many running events but when asked if he has any intention to run the MCM,
Berger stated, "I talk a good race."
As always, if you have an interesting, inspiring or unusual reason for running
the marathon, please share your story by emailing marathon@nt.quantico.usmc.mil.
Send along your best MCM photos...they may be featured in this year's race program.
Ask MCM
Q--Where can I park on race day?
A--The best advice is to park in the Metro lots, which are free on the weekend and
take the Metro directly to the race site. Runners should exit at either Arlington Cemetery (blue line) or Rosslyn stop (blue or
orange line). It is an easy walk from there. To accommodate the MCM runners, Metro
will open its doors early on race day at 6 a.m. Metro will also be present at the MCM Runners' Expo presented by AdvancePCS for
runners to purchase their Metro cards in advance.
Still have the urge to drive? Parking will be available along the four
satellite parking lots on Army Navy Drive. Shuttles will be provided to and
from the start line area beginning at 6 a.m. Limited parking is available
at the intersection of Joyce Street and Columbia Pike in Arlington by the
Navy Annex. Please keep in mind that parking is limited and is on a first
come, first served basis.
Carb Load at the Mueller's Marine Corps Marathon Pasta Party
Fill up on those much needed carbohydrates at the Mueller's Marine Corps Marathon Pasta Party on Saturday, October 25 at
the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, located just outside Packet pick-up. Purchase your pasta party ticket at the Runners'
Expo for the most convenient of the three 90-minute seatings beginning at 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $22 for adults and $16 for children ages 6 - 12. Children under age 6 are admitted free. Each pasta party
features a special guest speaker, entertainment by DJ Ken Berger, the voice of the marathon, and exciting raffle prizes
from Prince Michel vineyard, Washington Capitals hockey and Brooks. Guest speaker lineup includes Jeff Galloway, 1972 Olympian, at 3:30 p.m. and
Ed Eyestone, 1998 and 1992 US Olympic Marathon team member, at 5 p.m.
Register: MCM5K or Healthy Kids Fun Run
Bring your family and friends to enjoy an exciting weekend of running and activities. The 28th annual Marine Corps
Marathon weekend includes the MCM Runners' Expo presented by AdvancedPCS from Thursday October 23 to Saturday October 25
at the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City. Do pull-ups with the Marines...Go shopping for your running gear...Win some great prizes...Purchase
commemorative items.
While at the Expo, those not running the marathon will want to sign up for the MCM5K
presented by Deer Park, which starts immediately after the Marathon. The whole family can get in on running, when kids ages 6-13
sign up for the MCM Healthy Kids Fun Run presented by the Washington Post
on Saturday, October 25. See you race weekend!
Grab a Chip
Purchase your own customized Marine Corps Marathon runner's chip. This chip can be used at all ChampionChip events
around the world and serve as a reminder of a great run in the Nation's Capital. The timing chip costs $35 plus shipping and handling.
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NEW! Book your MCM hotel online
Visit the travel section of the Marine Corps Marathon website
when planning your visit to the Washington, DC area to obtain special airfare and rental car discount codes
available to Marathon participants. Participating airlines include American, Delta, Midwest and US Airways.
Avis Rent A Car is offering rental car savings. MCM partner hotels in Arlington, VA and DC are providing
additional services for runners and attendees at special rates. These hotels are featured on the MCM website
travel page... or enjoy the ease of the new online reservation service offered by the MCM. Select your hotel
and book online from DC and Arlington hotels through the new MCM online reservation service.
 bmi wants you to fly through the marathon and then fly to the UK. bmi,
the UK's second largest full service airline,
serves 28 destinations in 10 countries and carries over six and a half million passengers annually. With over 60
years experience, bmi has been the recipient of over 50 industry awards since 1990. bmi is a member of the Star
AllianceTM and offers mileage award accrual to members of the Star Alliance as well as Virgin Atlantic. Click here
to learn more about bmi's transatlantic service from Washington DC.
When I ran my first marathon, in 1963, there were only 11 starters and 5 finishers. There were no congestion
problems at water stops; in fact, there were no water stops. To run smoothly today, however, there are
certain understood rules that will help everyone get to the finish line quicker.
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PIN YOUR RACE NUMBER ON THE FRONT OF YOUR SHIRT.
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START IN THE CORRECT SECTION. Arrive early and be ready to line up when the officials open up the starting area.
In the Marine Corps Marathon, line up in the section appropriate to your anticipated finish time.
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LEAVE THE CENTER OF THE ROAD FOR FASTER RUNNERS. Especially at water stops, keep the center
open for those who are running faster. This is obviously compromised by pace groups, but pace group leaders are trying to keep their
runners on pace, and out of the way for walk breaks.
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BYPASS THE FIRST WATER TABLES, IF CONGESTED. There's plenty of water on the following tables
and less crowds.
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MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO TAKE WALK BREAKS. During the 1-2 minutes before you will be
walking, move yourself gradually over to the side of the road for a walk break. If it is possible (sidewalk, etc.), do the walking off
the road-or in the emergency lane.
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WHEN CROSSING THE STREAM OF RUNNERS, BE CAREFUL. Try not to step in front of someone or come
too close to someone in front of you.
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NO PUKING! If you're pushing yourself to that point, back off the effort for a mile or two
and let the body catch up.
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SMILE AS YOU FINISH! Even if you don't feel good, be a good actor. Cameras are rolling and
you will cherish the picture.
Olympian Jeff Galloway has helped over 100,000 runners finish a marathon. For more information on training and running the marathon,
see Jeff's book MARATHON. Visit his website to ask questions
or find out about Galloway's one day Running Schools and Weekend Beach Running Retreats in Florida.
The Baltimore Running Festival has announced a new Armed Forces Challenge (AFC). The AFC will crown six champions with military
experience - male and female winners of the marathon, half-marathon and team relay. All military personnel (active, reserve or
retired) are eligible - Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy. In addition, Armed Forces personnel will receive a $5
discount off their entry fee. Entries into the AFC must be made online and have the proper code to receive the discount. Please
call 410-605-9381 to receive the coupon code.
The half-marathon and team relays are excellent training runs for the MCM. The
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Half-Marathon has also been added to the 2003 Baltimore Running Festival! The finish of the
half-marathon will take runners through Camden Yards and down the spine to Ravens Stadium. Race is limited to 3,000 participants.
The GEICO Direct Team Relay runs the same course as the marathoners and features teams of four (4) participants with each
runner selecting a portion of the marathon course to run ranging in distance from 3 to 10.2 miles. As part of the Team Relay,
the Baltimore Running Festival is offering Baltimore's business community the opportunity to be a part of a citywide celebration
with the Corporate Cup. To qualify for the Corporate Cup, at least two (2) participants of the team must be members of the same
company or organization.
Deer Park Metro Challenge
 Deer Park®, the proud water sponsor of the Marine Corps Marathon is hosting the 2nd Annual Deer Park Metro Challenge--The Race Within The Race.
Registered runners from the DC Metro Area (Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C.) are eligible to participate in the Metro Challenge at no cost!
The first 600 runners (200 per team) who register for the Metro Challenge will represent
their hometown in the race. Each runner will receive a customized Metro Challenge runner's tank top to signify team affiliation while
providing ultimate comfort during the race and a set of Metro Challenge Dog Tags to commemorate the experience.
The cumulative time for the runners on all three teams will be compiled to determine the Deer Park Metro Challenge winner. The
victorious team will be honored by Deer Park and top individual performers from each team will receive special awards.
Up for the Challenge? Visit the special Metro Challenge website
for more info or quick and easy registration.
Maggiano's Loves Runners
 A proud sponsor
of the 28th Marine Corps Marathon, Maggiano's Little Italy has created another recipe, the New York Steak Al Forno with
Gorgonzola, which every runner will enjoy. This protein rich recipe is important for a runner's diet. Forno in Italian
means "oven," but this recipe can also be prepared on the grill, perfect for the summer season. Enjoy this dish with a salad,
which provides vitamins and minerals for the healthy athlete.
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