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The Marine Corps Marathon has announced course changes affording runners more time to get to the 14th Street Bridge prior to its 2 p.m. reopening to vehicular traffic. The new course guides runners to the 14th Street Bridge just after mile 21, nearly one mile sooner than previous years. Altering the course became necessary when construction began in the Pentagon parking lot, traditionally used for mileage at the beginning and end of the Marine Corps Marathon.
A 150-foot incline will be introduced at mile 3.5 when runners turn into the Navy Annex. The third-of-a-mile uphill guides runners to Henderson Hall before sending them back down the very same hill. Additionally, the Marine Corps Marathon course includes a minimal return to East Potomac Park after a two-year absence, utilizing just two miles of park roads. Other changes include bumping the course back to Independence Avenue from the Mall; taking runners closer to the Jefferson Memorial by incorporating Basin Drive; adding Army Navy Drive and Old Jefferson Davis Highway in mile 23-24; and pushing the finish line back fifty feet.
Free Runner Health Clinics
Join Dr. David M. Brody, Vice President of the International Medical Marathon Directors Association, orthopedic surgeon and MCM veteran, for another free Runner Health Clinic at George Washington University in Ross Hall, Room 101...THIS SATURDAY, September 6 from 7-9 p.m. No pre-registration is required.
Dr. Brody's topic for the September clinic is Diet, Water Replacement, Dehydration and Strengthening. The final clinic on Saturday, October 11 will explore How to Pace Yourself, Aid Stations and the Route.
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
Less than eight weeks and counting until your 2003 MCM toe-off! As the
summer winds down and those blistering temps begin to drop, it's time to
retire your tanks and shorts and gear up to address the changing weather.
Keep your body temp regulated and show off your marathon commitment by
sporting the official MCM jacket. Constructed of breathable,
water-resistant fabric, Brooks' exclusive AireplexTM Jacket suits men and
women in MCM style. Check out the AireplexTM Jacket and other new items at
mcmstore.brooksrunning.com
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
Post Race Party Celebrates Your MCM Accomplishment
What are you going to do after running 26.2 miles? Certainly not go to sleep. Well, maybe a nap...then, bring your friends, family and supporters to the MCM Post Race Party at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City on Sunday October 26 from 7 - 10 p.m. Admission is free! Cash bar and appetizers! Slideshow highlights of the 28th MCM! And, a dance floor full of celebrating runners! You can also check your race results at the Cisco Check your Runner station, powered by DoIt Sports. Music to keep you on your feet, far longer than you'd expect, is provided by BIG 100 WBIG FM.
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. If you already own a chip, please call the MCM office to submit your chip number.
Maggiano's Loves Runners
A corporate sponsor of the 28th Marine Corps Marathon, Maggiano's Little Italy has created another recipe, the Chicken Cammarrari, which every runner will enjoy. This protein rich recipe is important for a runner's diet as well as the peppers, onions and mushrooms bring out the best in this roast chicken marinated in fresh herbs. Enjoy this dish with a salad which provides vitamins and minerals for the healthy athlete.
Click here to get the Chicken Cammarrari recipe and locate a Maggiano's near you.
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MCM Runners' Expo
The MCM Runners' Expo presented by AdvancePCS is your first stop on the road to the finish line. You must visit the Expo to obtain your bib, chip, goodie bag and competitors shirt. Make sure you bring the back panel of the confirmation brochure (being mailed to you in September). The Runners' Expo is where you can experience the latest in running technology, apparel, nutrition, publications and novelties. This three-day extravaganza will interest athletes of all abilities. Join the Marines to test your strength at the Marine Corps Pull-Up Bar Challenge! Sit in on the Speakers Symposium! Shop at the MCM Brooks Store! Purchase apparel, gear and fitness merchandise! Meet sponsors like Ultima, Clif, AT&T, Navy Federal and Lindsay Cadillac!
The Expo will be held at the MCM Race Headquarters, Hyatt Regency Crystal City on:
Thursday, October 23 from 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
Friday, October 24 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday, October 25 from 8a.m.-8 p.m.
Each year many runners choose to enlist friends and family members to make running the Marine Corps Marathon a team effort. A team consists of no less than three and no more than five runners. But before these groups start the many months of dedicated training, the team must choose a name. How is this difficult decision made? As Extra Mile learned, it happens in a variety of ways.
One team running in the 28th Marine Corps Marathon picked their name because they eat peanuts after each run. The group dubbed themselves the "Peanut Running Club." Other teams consider major life events, such as eating snakes during Army Ranger school. Thus the name "Snake Eaters." How about the MCM runners who wrote their wedding vows about how he is the Peanut Butter and his bride is the Jelly...they will be running with the team name "Peanut Butter & Jelly." The Grateful Dead "Ship of Fools" lends its name to a group of people who registered to run the MCM and Boston Marathon in the same year. "Team Still Crazy After All These Years" are Simon and Garfunkel fans that vowed to run a marathon by the age of 50. Several of the team names just speak for themselves, like this uninformed bunch..."Team We thought this was a 5k." Registration fee for a team is $35.00. Awards are given for the top three teams in a variety of categories. Click here for more info on registering a team.
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.
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 3:30p.m.; Ed Eyestone, 1998 and 1992 US Olympic Marathon team member, at 5 p.m. and Deena Drossin, presented by Tylenol® 8 Hour, who broke the U.S. record for the marathon with a time of 2:21:16 at the London Marathon, at 6:30 p.m.
What Awaits at the Finish
Cross the finish. Be saluted by a Marine. Receive your medal. Get a space blanket. Return your chip. Get your finish photo taken. Then, replenish and refresh in the Deer Park Hospitality Tent, located just past the finishing line chutes. Runners will find Deer Park natural spring water and Naked Juice to drink. Gobble down Lenders bagels, Stonyfield yogurt, Sunkist oranges and Chiquita bananas. All good eatin' to help you recover and get ready for the Post Race Party.
ASK MCM
Q--Does my bib number correspond to where I should start the Marathon?
A--Bib numbers are assigned based on a runner's draw in the lottery and nothing else. On race morning, each of the 11 corrals at the start line will have a sign corresponding to a runners' projected finish time. It is up to you to use the honor system and line up accordingly.
Q--How many Port-a-Johns are on the course?
A--There will be seven Port-a-Johns at each waterpoint, one of which will be handicap accessible. Hundreds of Port-a-Johns will be at the start/finish line area.
The Baltimore Running Festival is pleased to announce the addition of the ARMED FORCES CHALLENGE (AFC) to this year's event. The AFC is an exciting "event within the event" and will crown seven champions with military experience - male and female winners of the marathon, half-marathon and team relay (male, female, mixed). 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 must have the proper code to receive the discount.
GEICO Team Relay: Space remains available in the GEICO Team Relay. One of the Festival's most popular races, the GEICO Team Relay is a race within the marathon. Running the same course as the marathoners, the Team Relay consists of four (4) participants per team with each runner selecting a portion of the marathon course to run ranging in distance from 3 to 10.2 miles. The team relay is a great race that can accommodate the running ability of any participant!
Baltimore based apparel company Under Armour will be the title sponsor of the 2003 Baltimore Marathon. Under Armour's Baltimore Marathon takes place Saturday, October 18 as part of the Baltimore Running Festival. Runners participating in Under Armour's Baltimore Marathon and the CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Half-Marathon will receive an Under Armour performance shirt as part of their registration fee. Please call 410-605-9381 to receive the coupon code. For more information on the Baltimore Running Festival, please visit www.thebaltimoremarathon.com
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