Four Changes to MCM Weekend Schedule

While the 2020 Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) Weekend is proceeding as planned for October, the Marine Corps Marathon Organization (MCMO) has been exploring various approaches and scenarios that prioritize the health and safety of our running community and meet the high standards of the 45TH anniversary event. In an effort to implement the many new health and safety standards required, the MCMO is adjusting operations and procedures, and extending new options to support participation.

“Every decision we are making with regard to the MCM Weekend schedule is intended to maximize the operational bandwidth required to host the Marine Corps Marathon in Arlington, Virginia on October 25th,” said Rick Nealis, director of the MCMO.

Here are the four changes to MCM Weekend:

1. MCM10K
   The MCM10K will now be a virtual-only event.Registration for the virtual MCM10K opened to the public on Wednesday, June 3 at www.marinemarathon.com at $33 per entry. Additional entries have been added for those interested in running the popular 6.2-mile event, which must be completed between September 27 – November 10, the Marine Corps birthday. All participants in the virtual event will be mailed a bib, the official event shirt and an impressive finisher medal. All finishers earn a personalized digital certificate
2. MCM Kids Run
   The MCM Kids Run has been rebranded to the MCM Semper Fun Mile, a one-mile virtual-only event for kids to run with their parents or guardians. The new MCM Semper Fun Mile is open to runners of all ages. This family-friendly virtual event is an opportunity for kids to get out and run a mile alongside trusted adults. The virtual run must be completed between September 27 – November 10. All participants will receive by mail a finisher medal, participant shirt and commemorative bib. Registration is open to children and adults starting on Wednesday, June 24 at noon Eastern at www.marinemarathon.com. Individual entries cost $20. Organized school or community groups of 10 or more are eligible for a reduced $13 entry fee by forgoing the mailing service and opting for group pick-up at Marine Corps Base Quantico – Fowler Hall.“We know shifting the MCM10K and the Mile to virtual-only status greatly impacts those individuals who set a goal for themselves or their children to run with the Marines,” added Nealis. “The inspiration provided by the Marines and their service to our country will remain a primary motivating factor for runners wherever they are.”
3. MCM & MCM50K
   In addition to the live marathon and ultra events scheduled for Sunday, October 25, the MCM and MCM50K will now be offered as virtual options as well.All currently registered MCM and MCM50K participants can choose between running live or transitioning to a virtual event, which must be completed any time between September 27 – November 10. Limited virtual entries to both events will be available to the public beginning on July 2.Those currently registered who choose to switch to virtual should defer the live entry to a future year and then register for the virtual event.The virtual entry fee is $45 for both events and includes the shipping and handling of the participant shirt, commemorative bib, patch and finisher medal. Runners will also have access to a digital event program, personalized finisher certificate and the Motigo MCM Audio Experience.
   
4. New Live Event Pace RequirementsDue to the new time requirements established for the live event schedule, participants will be required to maintain a 12 minute-per-mile pace or faster to complete the 26.2-mile and 31-mile distances rather than the previous benchmarks of 14 minutes-per-mile for the MCM and 12:30 for the 50K. Runners who do not meet the required pace must defer and switch to the virtual events, which have no time limit.“This [12 minute pace] is a difficult change but an essential one,” Nealis explained. “The need to establish new operational procedures to keep runners safe while following social distancing protocols requires rethinking the entire operational set up of the MCM. These decisions have altered the timelines and shortened the window of access to the course.”

MCM Organization will continue to provide updates and information throughout the planning process.