newsletter may 1, 2003

• December 12, 2003 Edition
• November 20, 2003 Edition
• October 16, 2003 Edition
• September 25, 2003 Edition
• September 4, 2003 Edition
• August 7, 2003 Edition
• June 26, 2003 Edition
• May 29, 2003 Edition
• May 1, 2003 Edition

The Marine Corps Marathon
Extra Mile

Welcome to The Extra Mile, the official newsletter of the Marine Corps Marathon. Through this monthly communication, the Marine Corps Marathon will provide the latest news including course changes, event details, sponsor promotions and travel deals.

Those who have previously participated in "The People's Marathon" are aware of the Marine Corps' commitment to going the extra mile for runners. More than 2,000 Marines support the course operations handling everything from providing aid along the course to removing the timing chip at the finish line. All efforts support the Marine Corps Marathon goal that all runners enjoy a weekend of memorable activity and accomplishment.

For those runners who have already secured entry into the 28th Marine Corps Marathon, congratulations and we look forward to aiding you in achieving your marathon goals. For those still in the lottery, good luck in the remaining three drawings (May 6, 13 & 20) and we hope to see you on race day. Information about entering the Marathon through a charity partner is featured in this newsletter. Remember registration for the lottery continues through Monday, May 19.

Train Hard! Train Smart!
And in the tradition of the Marine Corps stay "always faithful" to your goals!
"Semper Fi"

Volume 1, Number 1
May 1, 2003

Features:

New MCM/Brooks Store
MCM5K
Healthy Kids Fun Run
Volunteer for the 28th MCM
Traveling to the MCM
Training: Virtual and Video
2003 MCM Charity Partners
MCM On the Road

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.

In upcoming issues of The Extra Mile: Learn about course changes...On-course sponsor support...The Runners' Expo...and the Pageantry of the Opening Ceremonies.

New MCM/Brooks Store

Visit the 2003 MCM Store for MCM In-training technical tees from Brooks. You will find all your apparel training needs and commemorative items to confidently guide you through your entire program from beginning to end! Beginning June 15th check out a full line of MCM customized warm weather performance running apparel from Brooks. The MCM/Brooks Store will be there with you step by step!

Healthy Kids Fun Run

Running with the Marines is not just for adults anymore! Now, kids ages 6 through 13 can be part of the Marine Corps Marathon experience by participating the 4th annual MCM Healthy Kids Fun Run on Saturday, October 25, 2003. This year's run promises to be the largest yet with an anticipated 1,200 participants. Youngsters will enjoy the one-mile run around the Marine Corps War Memorial (the statue commemorating the flag raising on Iwo Jima) where everyone is a winner. The event shares the same finish line as the larger Marine Corps Marathon-what a thrill for the kids. Add the excitement of being led in warm-up drills by Marine Corps officers and then running alongside Marines. Stay after the run and enjoy the activity in the finishers' tent. Entry fee is either $10 or a new toy to be donated to Toys for Tots.

Training for the 28th MCM

Virtual Trainer Need a friendly reminder or a structured program to shape your training for the Marine Corps Marathon? Register for the MCM Virtual Trainer offering nine different training schedules from "Beginner" to "Time Goal 2:39" that will be delivered directly to you by email. There is no cost for participation. The program, written by Olympian and best-selling author Jeff Galloway, is set up to allow runners from beginners to Boston-bound to train for a marathon and still have a life. The schedule includes two weekday runs and a longer weekend run.

Virtual Video And what better way to visualize the challenges of the Arlington and DC-based course than to actually see it? The 30-minute Virtual Marine Corps Marathon Course Video tours the course from a runner's-eye view providing basic information, highlighting course characteristics and offering tips for race preparation. Narrated by 1976 US Olympic marathoner Don Kardong, the Virtual Marine Corps Marathon Course Video costs $19.95.

MCM5K

Got friends and family not up for 26.2? How about 3.1? Sign up for the 2nd annual Marine Corps Marathon 5K. The competition begins at 9:15 am on Sunday, October 26, 2003 immediately following the start of the Marathon. All participants receive a t-shirt, a finisher's medal and the thrill of crossing the Marathon finish line. The field is limited to 1,000 runners so sign up today. The cost is $30.00.

Volunteer for the 28th MCM

Be a part of the Marine Corps Marathon experience without running a step... but don't worry, we'll keep you moving!
Volunteers are highly valued by the Marine Corps Marathon! We simply could not produce the event without them. Sign up to be a MCM Volunteer. There are numerous opportunities available in a wide variety of jobs. You can cheer the runners on as you hand them that vital cup of water or help in making the Runners' Expo a smooth and enjoyable event for all. Register to be a volunteer on the new online volunteer application form.

Traveling to the MCM

The Marine Corps Marathon has established preferred partnerships with airlines, rental car companies and many hotels convenient to Marathon activities. 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. Many Arlington, Virginia and DC area hotel are providing additional services for runners and attendees at special rates. These hotels are featured on the MCM website travel page.

MCM On The Road

Representatives from the Marine Corps Marathon will be attending the Pittsburgh Marathon and Ottawa Marathon expos this May to help runners get in the MCM spirit. Stop by the MCM booth to talk and get an MCM souvenir.

Pittsburgh Marathon Expo:
New David L. Lawrence Convention Center (Hall E)
Friday, May 2 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Ottawa Marathon Expo:
Lansdowne Park (Bank Street, next to Rideau Canal)
Friday, May 9 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2003 MCM Charity Partners

More than $5.5 million dollars was raised as part of the 2002 MCM Charity Partnership Program. Through this program, local and national charitable organizations train and motivate their running groups for participation in the Marine Corps Marathon as a platform to raise money and increase awareness of their cause. MCM is proud to present the list of 2003 Charity Partners. Please visit their websites for further information on causes and programs.

ALCASE Run for the Lung: Dedicated solely to helping people with lung cancer improve the quality of their lives through advocacy, support, and education.

Alzheimer's Association: Dedicated to helping those affected by the disease and advancing Alzheimer's research.

American Diabetes Association: Leading health organization providing diabetes research, information, and advocacy.

Arthritis Foundation Joints in Motion: Provides training for volunteers as well as education and support to individuals with arthritis and their families.

ASHA: Advances socio-economic change in India through the education of underprivileged children.

International Association of Firefighters Burn Foundation: Dedicated to burn research and improving the quality of life for burn survivors.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington: Private social service agency embraces all needy members of their community, regardless of race, religion or national origin

Children's Hospital: Provides health care services that enhance the health and well being of children through leadership and innovation regionally, nationally and internationally.

Cumberland Heights: Provides high quality and cost-effective care for families at risk, as well as to people suffering from chemical dependency.

Cystic Fibrosis: Dedicated to the development of a means to find a cure for CF and improve the quality of life for those with the disease.

Family and Child Services: Improves individual, family, and community life by providing professional services to at risk youth, troubled families and seniors.

Hadley's Park: Creates unique and fully accessible playgrounds that allow children of all ages and abilities to play and interact with each other.

Lombardi Cancer Center: Provides the most advanced treatment available to Lombardi patients and endeavors to find a cure for this devastating disease.

Multiple Sclerosis Society: The most comprehensive resource of information about MS, a chronic disease that attacks the central nervous system.

National Association for Children of Alcoholics: Provides education, intervention, and support to children of addicted parents.

National Capital Area Big Brothers Big Sisters: Dedicated to building One-To-One mentoring relationships uniting children from single-parent families with caring and committed adult volunteers.

Organization for Autism Research: Puts basic science to work providing answers to questions that parents, families and individuals with autism face daily.

Scleroderma Foundation: Serves the interests of persons with scleroderma through support, education and research.

Tourette Syndrome Association: Promoting acceptance of individuals with TS through education and research.

Tragedy Assistance for Survivors: Offers hope, healing, comfort and care to the many survivors who face the death of a loved one in the armed forces.

Wintergreen Adaptive Skiing: Teaches the joys of alpine skiing to individuals with a disability in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

Y.M.C.A.: Fosters the spiritual, mental and physical development of individuals, families and communities according to the ideals of inclusiveness, equality and mutual respect for all.