newsletter may 2005

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• April 2004

MCM Registration: Save your confirmation number

The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) kicked off its 30th anniversary on Wednesday, April 6, at 00:00:01 by opening online registration at marinemarathon.com. Welcoming an expanded race field of 30,000 runners, the MCM reached capacity in 62 hours, 19 minutes at 2:19 p.m. on Friday, April 8, 2005. Richard Holt of Tuscaloosa, AL was the first runner to be registered at one second past midnight. 3,220 runners, or nearly one runner per second, were registered in the first hour of rolling registration.

Registered runners received a confirmation email shortly after completing sign-up process. This email contains a vitally important confirmation number, imperative for each runner to print and keep to access downloadable e-confirmation cards beginning online in September. Runners will be asked to print the e-confirmation card and will need to bring it along with a photo ID to Packed Pick-up at the MCM Runners' Expo presented by Caremark.

Please review all personal information on your confirmation email and contact the MCM office with any corrections or updates.

Other MCM Registration News

MCM 8K The 2005 Marine Corps Marathon 8K boasts a new course and start line. 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. Registration is $38 and opens online beginning May 1.

Healthy Kids Fun Run 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 at 9:05 a.m., just minutes after all 30,000 MCM runners cross the start line. Participation in last year's Healthy Kids Fun Run doubled the previous year's total prompting the move from Saturday to Sunday when more space is available for the children. The race field is limited to 1,400 children between the ages of 6-13 and pre-registration is required. All runners must be registered and pay the $12 entry fee by October 17, 2005. Participants will receive a t-shirt, finisher's ribbon and snacks at the finish line. A downloadable registration form will be posted on the MCM website beginning May 1.

MCM Training Apparel

Marathon training takes dedication, hard work and lots of attention to your body... and the MCM Brooks Store wants to help you get to the startline and beyond. Start training in all new 2005 MCM training apparel including shirts, hats, socks, shorts and more. Let the world know you are in training to run with the Marines.

Hotel and Travel Planning

Plan your trip to the nation's capital on the MCM Travel Pages hosted by Jet Blue Airways. Top quality Arlington and Washington, DC-area hotels offer special rates and runner-friendly amenities. Among the special services extended to MCM participants and guests are shuttle services, late checkouts and pasta parties. Visit the MCM Travel Page to view individual hotel web sites, plus learn more about MCM airline discounts. The MCM welcomes Jet Blue Airways as a new sponsor. Jet Blue offers nonstop flights from Dulles to Los Angeles, Ft Lauderdale, Oakland, Sacramento and, soon, San Diego.

NEW! MCM Website to Host Online Chats

Now runners training for the Marine Corps Marathon have an outlet to ask questions, swap stories and gather advice. The first online chat in the 2005 MCM Chat Series occurs on Wednesday, April 27 at noon on www.marinemarathon.com with host Jeff Galloway, who has helped over 150,000 runners achieve their running goals. Galloway created the training schedule and program used by the MCM Virtual Trainer. Future online chat hosts will cover topics including sports injuries, running apparel and diet/nutrition.

Online Chat Schedule (all chats start at noon eastern):

All New Expert Infused MCM Training Page and Virtual Trainer

Need a friendly reminder or a structured program to shape your training for the Marine Corps Marathon? The MCM Virtual Trainer is set up to allow runners from beginners to those Boston-bound to train for the marathon. The program, written by Olympian and best-selling author Jeff Galloway, offers training schedules for all skill levels that can be sent directly to your email. The schedule is accompanied by daily tips, written by the MCM panel of training experts including Galloway; 2003 MCM men's champion Peter Sherry; sports nutritionists Lisa Dorfman; Dr. Michael Moses of NOVA Pain and Rehab Center; Tylenol 8 Hour; Clif Bar Pace Team and more. There is no cost for participation. The schedules include two weekday runs and a longer weekend run. Visit the all-new training page of the MCM website or click on the headline above.

Basic Training DVD - MCM Course Tour and Introduction to Running in DC

Everything runners need to know about the Marine Corps Marathon. The brand new DVD-video covers basic training, health and fitness, registration, packet pickup, the MCM Runners' Expo, and detailed instructions to help you arrive at the starting line fit and ready for the challenge. A mile-by-mile course tour includes runner's-eye views of almost every major monument and memorial in the nation's capital. Bonus features include an animated course map. The DVD is on sale beginning on April 6 for only $24.95, plus $4.95 shipping & handling. Please allow up to two weeks for delivery.

Special Edition 30th MCM Chip

Some people slip a new ring on their finger for an anniversary. MCM runners tie a new chip to their shoes. Purchase your very own customized special edition 30th anniversary 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 with the Marines. The timing chip costs $35 plus shipping and handling. Purchasing the anniversary chip is strictly optional. All runners will receive a chip at Packet Pick-up as a standard part of registration.

Run Miles Run! New Children's Book Uses MCM to Promote Fitness

Washington, D.C. as he runs in the marathon in this hardbound, fully illustrated children's book. Watch Miles pass the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, U.S. Capitol, Jefferson Memorial and more landmarks as he makes his way to the finish line at the Marine Corps War Memorial. Parents and kids can follow Miles through the nation's capital while learning important lessons about being healthy and active.

30th Marine Corps Marathon Celebration Pasta Dinner

Runners, family and friends are cordially encouraged to commemorate three decades of "The People's Marathon" at the 30th Anniversary Marine Corps Marathon Celebration Dinner on Saturday evening, October 29 at Hyatt Regency Capitol, the 2005 MCM race headquarters. Two seatings begin at 6 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. Capture the marathon-eve energy at this special evening program including an elegant pasta dinner buffet, lively entertainment, engaging guest speakers and coveted prizes. Tickets are $30 per person. Children four years and under are free. Add hoopla to your pasta and class to your carb load at this spirited celebration of your participation in the 30th Marine Corps Marathon! Order tickets online now.

MCM News Sprint

Marine Corps Marathon Band Search... Are you or someone you know part of a band with enough spirit to power 30,000 runners along the 26.2-mile course? Here's an opportunity to play in front of thousands of motivated runners and even more energized spectators throughout the nation's capital. Send your CD and materials for review today. To apply, just send a CD, bio, photo, website and contact information to MCM Band Search, PO Box 188, Quantico, VA 22134.

Limited Number of Guaranteed Entries to the 30th MCM...Country Music Marathon and ½ Marathon: Nashville, TN. The Nashville Convention Center welcomes the Health and Fitness Expo, Thursday and Friday, April 28-29. Doors open at 11a.m. both Thursday and Friday.

Vancouver International Marathon: Vancouver, B.C. The Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Center is the 2005 home to the Healthy Nutrition and Wellness Expo. This three-day event begins Thursday, April 28 from 5 p.m.-9 p.m., continues Friday, April 29 from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and concludes Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Volunteer for the MCM...Only through the spirit of cooperation among thousands of Marine and civilian volunteers can "The People's Marathon" effectively serve the people. Register to support the runners when the MCM Volunteer Module opens on the MCM website beginning May 1, 2005. Subway salutes and supports all volunteers.

Art Contest Winner... A graphic artist and 19- year marathoner has been selected as the winner of the Marine Corps Marathon Art Contest. The winning entry entitled "The Art of Running... depicts several memorable scenes from the MCM including the presenting of colors by US Marines, a stream of runners on the 14th Street Bridge and the Iwo Jima monument. The artwork will be used as part of the promotional campaign for the 30th Anniversary Marine Corps Marathon. For his winning piece, Ted Baxter, of Brantford, Ontario, Canada will receive an entry into the 2005 MCM, MCM apparel and merchandise and samples of all mediums featuring his artwork.