newsletter august 2005

• November 2005
• October 2005
• September 2005
• August 2005
• June 2005
• May 2005
• December 2004
• November 2004
• October 2004
• September 2004
• August 2004
• July 2004
• May 2004
• April 2004

E-confirmation card returns for the 30th Marine Corps Marathon

The printable e-confirmation card will be available online starting in early September. A link will be posted at that time on the main page of this website. Runners will need their confirmation number to access the e-confirmation card. Individual runner confirmation numbers were included with the post-registration email. For lost or missing confirmation numbers, please contact 703-432-1167 or 703-432-1162. The e-confirmation card features mandatory runner information, bib number and wave assignment, as well as details regarding packet pick-up and the Runners' Expo presented by Caremark. Please verify all information and follow instructions to print the card. All runners are required to present the e-confirmation card at packet pick-up to receive race materials.

Two Wave Start

To accommodate the record-breaking 30,000 runners expected at the 30th MCM start line, a two-wave system, based on bib number and color, will be implemented. The first wave, denoted by the color "scarlet", will start at 8:15 a.m. The second "gold" wave begins at 8:45 a.m. Runners will be notified of their bib number on their e-confirmation card and receive a corresponding bib at packet pick up. Runners in both waves will experience the full pageantry and patriotism of the MCM starting ceremonies. Only runners in the scarlet wave will be granted access to the start area along Route 110 prior to the 8:15 a.m. start. Runners in the gold wave must congregate in the new Runners' Village area in the North Pentagon parking lot. Following the start of the scarlet wave, gold wave runners will be escorted from Runners' Village to the start line.

The two- wave system will not affect a runner's finish time. All MCM finish times are computed and tracked by the ChampionChip system. A runner's true finish time is assessed by chip time, 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. All runners regardless of wave will be required to maintain a 14 minute per mile pace in order to Beat the Bridge (the 1:45 p.m. reopening of the 14th Street Bridge at mile 21 of the course).

Runners' Expo presented by Caremark

Kick off marathon weekend with a trip to the MCM Runners' Expo in its new location, the DC Armory near RFK Stadium. Enjoy plenty of free parking or take Metro (orange or blue line to the Stadium/Armory station). Continuous shuttles will also be available from the Race Headquarters Hotel- the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill.

The Runners' Expo will be open Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. All runners must attend packet pick-up at the Runners' Expo to retrieve their bib, goodie bag and competitor shirt. Browse through more than 200 booths featuring the latest in running apparel, fitness products and nutrition. Listen to the sounds of the Marine Corps Base Quantico Band, treat children to the Ronald McDonald Get Moving Show and find motivation in presentations at the Speakers Symposium. Take the fitness challenge of the PowerAde Rock Wall, sneak a peek at the Lindsay Cadillac pace cars and preview Tylenol's recommendations for post-race recovery. Be sure to visit the MCM Brooks Store for commemorative 30th MCM apparel and other fine product partners for a variety of keepsake items. You can even ship all your packages via UPS right from the Expo floor.

MCM Celebration Dinner

Take carb-loading to the next level by attending the MCM Celebration Dinner on Saturday, October 29. Dine on an elegant pasta dinner buffet at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill while listening to guest speaker Dick Beardsley, professional runner and motivational speaker, famous for his "Duel in the Sun", a head-to-head competition with Alberto Salazar at the 1982 Boston Marathon. Beardsley lost by just two seconds with a time of 2:08:54. The pasta event includes lively entertainment, traditional Marine Corps ceremony and great prizes including a round-trip flight anywhere Jet Blue flies. Limited tickets remain available for the 7:45 p.m. seating. Tickets are $30.

Healthy Kids Pasta Bash

For families looking for a more child-friendly atmosphere, the MCM introduces the Healthy Kids Pasta Bash on Saturday, October 29 at 4 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill. Hosted by Cartoon Johnny, a Washington, D.C.-based a cappella group performing a variety of sure-fire audience favorites and their own original music. The 90-minute pasta party will also feature the Ronald McDonald Get Moving Show. Miles, the MCM mascot, will motivate kids of all ages with music and family fun. Tickets are $14 for children 13 years & under. Children 4 & under are free. Get $9 off adult ticket price ($30) with the purchase of a child's ticket.

Anchors Away for the Marine Corps Marathon Spirit Cruises

Visiting DC for the MCM? Maximize your tourist time by setting sail for an afternoon or evening of sight seeing, festive dining, pre-marathon motivation and live entertainment. Spirit of Washington will host the first ever Marathon Spirit Cruise on Friday, October 28 for dinner and Saturday, October 29 for lunch. Scheduled guest speakers include Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee (Friday night dinner cruise) and dynamic sports nutritionist and author Lisa Dorfman (Saturday afternoon cruise). The Friday evening, three-hour dinner cruise boards at 6:30 p.m. and costs $65 per person. The Saturday afternoon, two-and-a-half hour lunch cruise boards at 12:30 p.m. and costs $38 per person. Both cruises offer guests a bountiful buffet with meal choices including several entrees, vegetables and salad selections. Cruises will depart Pier 4 at 6th and Water Streets. Space is limited. For tickets, call 1-866-211-3811.

Join the festivities at the new MCM Runners' Village

Before the race, runners will congregate in the new Runner's Village area of the North Pentagon parking lot. This pre-race location includes shuttle drop-off, UPS baggage check, a Dasani water station and more. Runners in the gold wave, as well as wheelchair competitors, will be staged in Runners' Village prior to the start of the scarlet wave. Runners' Village will also feature plenty of pre-race entertainment. Join fitness expert Denise Austin for three warm-up sessions during the 7 a.m. hour sponsored by the Idaho Potato Commission . Austin explains. "Along with conducting the warm-up sessions, I also hope to talk with as many people at the race as possible about the importance of a healthy diet and how it correlates with overall fitness. As a spokesperson for Idaho Potatoes, I understand the role that complex carbohydrates - such as those found in Idaho Potatoes -- play in supplying energy. Regardless of whether one is powering up for a marathon or for life, it is critical to fuel the body with healthy and lasting energy." The opening ceremonies will be viewable in Runners' Village on the brand new MCM Jumbotron as well as music and final instructions to the runners.

MCM Finish Festival at the Iwo Jima

While waiting to cheer runners across the finish or for post-finish fun, visit the Finish Festival Tent presented by AT&T. Located near the Family Link Up at the Iwo Jima Monument, the Finish Festival will provide a variety of services including free phone calls anywhere in the world provided by AT&T; the Cisco Systems Check Your Runner Station for live results; health screenings conducted by Virginia Hospital Center; photo fun from Tylenol 8 Hour; drink sampling from Honest Tea and more. The Finish Festival is open to runners and spectators.

Announcing the Final Mile Stage presented by Michelob Ultra

As runners approach the final climb from Route 110 up Marshall Drive to the Iwo Jima Monument, the sounds of the Final Mile Stage presented by Michelob Ultra will provide an extra push. Taking the stage at 9:30 a.m., dynamic, female-fronted rock cover band from Northern Virginia, Dr. FU will deliver songs ranging from Al Green and Stevie Wonder to AC/DC and Metallica. Taking the Final Mile Stage at 12:30 p.m. is Members Only. Founded in 2004, Members Only serves up a healthy dose of the cheesiest 80s music there is. Runners should also plan to visit the Mic Ultra beer garden on route 110 after completing the marathon.

On Your Mark, Get Set, "Run Miles Run"

Mascot Books, the Sterling, VA-based publisher of original, hardcover children's books, in conjunction with the MCM, will release their newest creation, "Run Miles Run" on August 19th. The charming tale will appeal to children and adults alike as the adorable Miles, the Marine Corps Marathon mascot, journeys through the MCM course. Along the way, readers will learn about noted monuments, good nutrition and the importance of staying physically fit. Mascot Books will support the families of injured and fallen Marines by donating $2 to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society from every online purchase of ‘Run Miles Run'. Simply log on to www.mascotbooks.com and enter the promotion code, "MCM" anytime through December 31st (pre-orders are already being accepted). Runners will get a great memento of the MCM and support American heroes in the process.

Meet the MCM Volunteers: Washington Area Parrot Head Club

The MCM is proud to have many wonderful volunteers who enhance race weekend for runners and spectators. One of those distinguished groups is The Washington Area Parrot Head Club (WAPHC). Created to promote friendships and organize social activities for people with similar interests, the non-profit WAPHC has worked hard to make "Party with a Purpose" more than just its motto. Beyond being a tropical shirt-wearing club for fans of Jimmy Buffet, the group has raised over $70,000 for numerous social and environmental charities in the National Capital area.

The Parrot Head group began volunteering for the Marine Corps Marathon in 2004 after two members of the club completed the race and came back impressed with the support from the Marines and volunteers. After learning about the wide range of charities partnering with the MCM, a group of Parrot Heads volunteered to join the Marines as volunteers on race day. The WAPHC is excited to return as a volunteer group for the 30th anniversary MCM, so look for their bright shirts and even brighter smiles out on the course.

Motivated to join WAPHC as a volunteer on the course? The MCM is looking for groups to volunteer with the UPS Baggage Trucks. Click here for more information or to sign up.

Registration Available in SunTrust Richmond Marathon: America's Friendliest Marathon

Highlighted in the July/August issue of Marathon & Beyond, the SunTrust Richmond Marathon received great reviews from the marathon publication which included a subtitle of "'Friendliest Marathon' Is an Operating Philosophy, Not Just a Flippant Motto". From packet pick-up through all 26.2 miles and the post-race celebration, you'll be greeted with smiles and encouragement by event staff, volunteers and spectators.

Featuring a scenic course that takes you across the James River and through Richmond's historic neighborhoods, finishing in trendy Shockoe Slip, this year's SunTrust Richmond Marathon set for Saturday, November 12 features one of the most unique and appealing courses anywhere. Combine that with musical performers and enthusiastic crowds along the course, beautiful fall colors and an average daily temperature of 50 degrees, and you'll know why the SunTrust Richmond is an event you don't want to miss! For more information, visit www.richmondmarathon.com. The 2006 event will be held on Saturday, November 11.

MCM News Sprint

Marathon Day Transportation
The MCM offers a wide variety of options for race day transportation. Metro is highly recommended and will open an hour earlier this year—at 5 a.m. Free parking is available at the DC Armory near RFK stadium and in Crystal City at the corner of 23rd and Crystal Drive. MCM shuttles run throughout the day from the Armory to the start and later from the finish.

MCM8K
There is still time to register for the 2005 Marine Corps Marathon 8K. Held on Marathon Sunday, October 30, 2005, the 4.97-mile run will kick off in Runners' Village, part of the Pentagon North Parking Lot, and contain a larger portion of the actual marathon course leading up to the finish under the MCM arch at the Iwo Jima Monument.

Healthy Kids Fun Run Registration and Poster Contest
For the first time ever, the Healthy Kids Fun Run presented by The Washington Post will be held on Marathon Sunday, October 30, 2005 beginning just minutes after all 30,000 MCM runners cross the start line. The Healthy Kids Fun Run will begin at 9:10 a.m. instead of the 9:05 a.m. time that was previously announced. Children ages 6-13 are invited to participate in the one-mile race. Kids can also pull out their crayons and markers to enter the Healthy Kids Fun Run Poster Contest.

MCM Course Map
Trade hard-to-fold course maps for the new MCM interactive course map, created by The Map Network. The map features everything a runner will encounter on the course from mile markers to water points, medical aid stations to food stations, plus photo locations, elevation chart, live music and entertainment. MCM8K and Healthy Kids Fun Run course information is also available. The interactive map has spectator tips as well.

Last Minute Data Changes
Remember to submit any data changes on entries into the marathon to the MCM front office to ensure correct bib assignments. Please contact 800-RUN-USMC or email.

Upcoming Live Chats
Nutrition for a Successful Marathon- Lisa Dorfman- August 10 at noon EST- Ms. Dorfman, author of The Vegetarian Sports Nutrition Guide, is a licensed nutritionist, psychotherapist and certified coach. Dorfman is president of Food Fitness International, Inc., and helps clients by providing professional guidance on food, physical and psychological issues. She has been a competitive athlete since 1988 placing high in marathons, triathlons and various other races.

Learn about the Marine Corps Marathon- Rick Nealis- Oct 5 at noon EST- Mr. Nealis has served as the Marine Corps Marathon Director since 1993. Nealis is a marathoner and retired Marine.