FAQ

What is the date for the 2012 Marine Corps Marathon?
The 37th MCM will be held on October 28, 2012!

How many participants will you accept?
The 2012 race field is limited to 30,000 participants.

How do I register?
Registration for the 37th MCM will open March 7th, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. EST. The MCM has a no refund policy for registration.

Do I need a qualifying time to participate?
You do not need a qualifying time for "The People's Marathon." Every runner must be 14 years of age or older on October 28, 2012.  All runners must maintain a 14-minute per mile pace to complete the "Guantlet" and to "Beat the Bridge".  The "Guantlet" is located at mile marker 17.5, at the intersection of Madison Drive and 14th Street NW.  Runners who fall behind the tail end vehicle will be turned at the "Guantlet" towards "Beat the Bridge" and allowed to unofficially complete the remainder of the course. All runners must reach 14th Street Bridge (just before mile marker 20) by 1:05 pm. At that time, the street will reopen to vehicular traffic. If a runner does not reach the 14th Street Bridge on time, he or she will have to board a straggler's bus which will take them to the finish festival.  It is strongly advised to board the straggler bus but if a runner decides to continue on, they must stay on the sidewalks and are responsible of their own safety.

Can I walk this marathon?
Yes, you can walk but you must maintain a 14 min/mile pace in order to finish the race. The 14th Street Bridge must re-open to traffic (just before mile marker 20), which will make it unsafe for any participant to finish the race. The race is 7 hours long and all runners must reach the finish line by this time.

What is the age requirement?
To run the Marine Corps Marathon, you must be at least 14 years of age on October 28, 2012.

How do I know that my registration went through when I signed up online?

You will receive an email confirming your registration shortly after completing the online process.  Please keep this email for reference should any questions regarding your registration occur.  In September, runners will be emailed a confirmation number and important packet pick-up information.  Use the confirmation number to download your e-confirmation card from the MCM website.  This e-card is essential for packet pick-up.  Please keep both the initial registration confirmation and the September confirmation number as proof of registration. 

When will I receive my bib number?

Your bib number will be listed on your e-confirmation card that is e-mailed out in September. 

How do I get my e-confirmation card? 
You will need your confirmation number in order to access the e-card. Your confirmation number can be found in the confirmation email you will receive by the end of September.  

What if I can’t print my e-card or my confirmation number does not work?

All runners will receive an email with the confirmation numbers. Please ensure you type in this number and your data of birth on our website www.marinemarathon.com in order to print the e-card confirmation needed for Packet Pick-up. Please do not copy and paste the number into the website.  Please contact support@active.com if you have further problems.

How do I defer my 2011 entry to 2012?
Runners who defered their entry from 2011 to 2012 have a guaranteed a spot in next year's MCM. All deferred runners will receive an e-mail with detailed instructions in January 2012 including a link and code to re-register in 2012. Runners may only defer one time.

How can I transfer my bib to another runner who wants to run in the MCM?
The transfer program is now closed.

What does a team consist of?

A team consists of three to five runners. There is no additional team entry fee. Winners are determined by the average team time. Awards are given to the top three teams in six categories: Men, Women, Masters, Active Duty Military and Mixed.

How do I register a team?
Please download the team entry form to create a team. Each team member must be registered as an individual first before a team entry can be filled out.

What are the Expo/Packet Pick-up hours?

The MCM Health and Fitness Expo will be held on the days leading up to the MCM at the DC Armory. 

What do I need to bring to Packet Pick-up at the Health and Fitness Expo by GE?
E confirmation card printout and a photo ID are required.  For all Active Duty / Reservists who registered during early registration must show their military ID.

Can someone else pick up my race packet for me?

Runners are highly encouraged to pick up their own race materials, to verify information and prevent race day hassles. However, if a participant must have a friend or family member pick up the materials, they will need the Packet Release Form filled out to receive the race materials, the E-Confirmation card, and the ID of the person picking up.

Do you have a half marathon?
The Marine Corps Historic Half will be held on May 20, 2012 in Fredericksburg, VA.

What other events are held MCM weekend?

Be sure to enjoy all the vendors at the Health and Fitness Expo by GE, pasta dinner at the Carbo Dining In, the Healthy Kids Fun Run, the MCM10K, the Finish Festival and Crystal Run.

What can the kids participate in?
Even the younger members of the family can enjoy race weekend activities. The MCM Healthy Kids Fun Run is a great opportunity for children ages 5-12 be part of MCM weekend. The one-mile run is not timed and all participants receive a medal, shirt, goodie bag and post race snacks.  Registration will open April 4th, 2012.  

When is the Marine Corps Marathon Healthy Kids' Fun Run? 
The Healthy Kids Fun Run is on Saturday, October 27, 2012.  View the full details of this event.

Where and when is the Crystal Run?
A great spectator location situated on mile 22 and 23 of the marathon course, Crystal City hosts a fun-filled family festival including games, live music and activities. Free parking is available at Crystal Drive and 23rd St on Sunday during the race from 9:30 a.m. till 3:30 p.m. Click here for more information.

Do you have a pasta party?
The Carbo Dining-In Dinner will be held on Saturday, October 27, 2012.

Do you have a post-race party?
Yes we do!  The post-race festivities occur in the Finish Festival in Rosslyn, VA.  You will enter the festival just after the marathon finish line.

How do I get to the Start line?
Metro will get you to the start. Metro starts service at 5:00 a.m. for MCM runners and spectators on race morning. Metro's Pentagon (blue or yellow line) station is the closest stop to the start and Runners Village. Runners can also take advantage of a parking garage available in Crystal City, VA (23rd and Crystal Drive) then take the pre-race shuttle to Runners Village (start festivities) near the Pentagon.

What is the starting time?
The MCM will begin at 7:45 a.m. on Sunday, October 28, 2012 with the start of the wheelchair and hand cycle wave. At 8:00 a.m., marathon participants will begin their 26.2 mile journey to the legendary Marine Corps War Memorial Finish Line.

Where is the start line?
The start line is just south of Arlington Memorial Drive on Route 110 in Arlington. Please click here for more information.

How should I line-up at the start line?
Runners should line up in their appropriate corral based on their expected finish time. The well-marked corrals will be maintained by Marine volunteers.

What do I use for baggage and where do I drop off my baggage?
Please utilize the clear goodie bag, provided to you at Packet Pick-up, for your race day baggage needs. The clear bag will be the only bag accepted in the baggage check in area located in Runners Village on race day. Your baggage label is/will be on the back of your bib.  Runners wearing a bib number will be allowed to check bags in and out. Backpacks are not recommended. Unattended bags and packages will be removed from the premises. For more information click here.

Can I push a baby stroller, use a walking stick, roller blade, or take my dog on the course?
No, they are not permitted on the course.

Are iPods or simliar devices allowed?
Yes, but not advised due to the safety of our runners.

Is there extra security?
In planning for this year's Marine Corps Marathon, officials have met with all eight area police jurisdictions to enhance the safety of everyone involved at the race site as well as along the race course. There will be a presence of Marines at the start, finish and along the course at key spectator points. Cooperation with security personnel and practices will aid in quick access to the race site. For your convenience, please allow extra time to reach the start line by arriving at least 90 minutes prior to your start time.

Where are the water points?
MCM runners will enjoy 12 water points along the course, plus plenty of post-race support at the finish line. The water points are located approximately every two miles on the course.

What is the energy drink and water that is used?
The Marine Corps Marathon will offer an energy drink and water at each water point, as well as at the hospitality tent, just past the finish line.

Where are port-a-johns located?
Port-a-johns are located at the start/finish line, Runners Village, each water point and in the Finish Festival. 

Will food and drinks be available to spectators at the Marine Corps War Memorial site? 
Spectators, please come prepared with your own supply of food and beverages.  Items may be purchased from vendors in the Finish Festival and behind the bleachers at the finish line.

How do I meet up with my family after the marathon?
Help family members track your progress by letting them know what you will be wearing and your approximate pace per mile. Post race, plan to meet them at Family link up area in the Finish Festival, under the designated letter. The MCM suggests using the first letter of the runner’s last name.

What type of medical support is available during the marathon?
The MCM course offers 10 aid stations throughout the 26.2 miles. Each aid station is equipped with Naval medical personnel as well as medical volunteers.

How does my family check on me if there is a medical situation?
Family members will need to visit the information tent at the American Red Cross tent at the Marine Corps War Memorial to locate a family member with a medical situation.

What is the best way to train for the MCM?
For pre-race training as well as great tips, check out the MCM’s Online Trainer for more information. This program is designed to help you plan your runs, and the email updates offer you tips on everything from proper apparel to nutrition to injury prevention. 

I took Metro to the start. How should I get home or to my hotel?
Take Metro from the Rosslyn (blue/orange lines) station, or board the post-race shuttle from Wilson Blvd to Crystal City (blue and yellow lines). Taxis are also available in Rosslyn.

Why is there a wait to board Metro after the race?
Thanks to a special service agreement between the MCM and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Metro blue line trains will arrive in the Rosslyn station every 7.5 minutes on race day, instead of the standard 15-minute schedule. However, this will not prevent the station platform from being overwhelmed with runners and spectators exiting the Finish Festival. As the platform fills, for safety reasons, Metro station escalators are turned off to prevent overcrowding where injuries may occur. This often leads to delays entering the station causing lines. Further, runners attempting to utilize wet farecards may disable the machines requiring maintenance causing further delays in access for all. Runners are encouraged to purchase a One-Day Pass or SmartCard for Metro access and seal in a ziplock bag on event day. Thank you for your patience.

Where can I find results from previous MCMs?
Results from previous years are available.

What awards do you offer?
The Marine Corps Marathon offers over 430 awards. Categories are: Overall, Overall Masters, Overall Seniors, Men and Women, age groups, Clydesdale/Athena weight classes, Wheelchair, Hand crank, Team Divisions.

MCM Running Club
Any runner that completed 5 or more Marine Corps Marathons can join the MCM running club. There is no cost involved.  Members receive an early entry which has a deadline into all future MCMs. 

What is considered the official time and how is the race timed? 
The Marine Corps Marathon will utilize a timing system called "B-tag".  All tags are attached to the runners bibs.

How do I sign up as a volunteer?
Volunteer registration is now closed.  Please visit the Volunteer Page for more information.