Pre-Race and Start Line
The Marine Corps Marathon will begin at 7:45 a.m. for the wheelchair and
hand cycle participants. Runners will start at 8:00 a.m. It is recommended that runners arrive two hours prior to their start time to proceed through the security checkpoint, drop off baggage and line up in the appropriate corral.
Start line is located on Route 110 (all lanes) just South of Arlington Memorial Bridge.
BIBS
Runners are required to wear the official participant bib with number on the front of their clothing. The bib will be provided at Packet Pick-up with pins available in the goodie bags. MCM Participant Bibs include tear-off coupons along the bottom.
The coupons are to be exchanged for the following items and/or services: participant mock neck shirt at the Health and Fitness Expo by GE; post-race complimentary massage in the Finish Festival; free sample of Michelob Ultra in the Finish Festival Beer Garden; and the coveted USAA Finisher Coin
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TIMING
ChronoTrack Timing Systems, Inc. will record the results of runners along the 2010 course. The system will utilize a light-weight disposable UHF RFID tag that stays mounted on the runner's bib, embedded in the reverse side. No action is required of a runner beyond wearing the assigned bib. The "B-tag" will record a runner’s official time, beginning when a participant crosses the start line and concluding as he or she passes the finish, as well as split times every 5K along the course. Runners will recieve their B-tag on their race bib.
Gun time will be utilized in determining awards for the top three male and female finishers. All other awards are calculated by chip time. The course will close at 3:30 p.m. and all runners must reach the finish by this time. Learn about finish times required to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
CORRALS
Runners will line up by expected finish time on the start line and will be able to choose their appropriate corral on race morning. Bib numbers are not related to corral assignments. Below are the corral designations which will be labeled by signs in the starting area:
| Expected Finish Time |
Pace Per Mile |
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Expected Finish Time |
Pace Per Mile |
| Hours:Minutes |
Minutes:Seconds |
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Hours:Minutes |
Minutes:Seconds |
| 2:30 - 2:59 |
5:43 - 6:50 |
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4:10 - 4:29 |
9:32 - 10:15 |
| 3:00 - 3:19 |
6:52 - 7:36 |
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4:30 - 4:59 |
10:18 - 11:24 |
| 3:20 - 3:39 |
7:37- 8:21 |
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5:00 - 5:29 |
11:27 - 12:33 |
| 3:40 - 3:59 |
8:23 - 9:07 |
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5:30 - 5:59 |
12:35 - 13:42 |
| 4:00 - 4:09 |
9:09 - 9:30 |
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6:00 plus |
13:44 - 14:00* |
MCM Gauntlet: Runners must maintain 14 minute per mile pace to pass the MCM Gauntlet at mile 17.5 at the intersection of 14th Street and Madison Drive NW. A tail-end vehicle will be in place to easily identify the necessary pace. Runners slower than the required pace will be detoured for safety reasons but will quickly rejoin the marathon course. These participants may continue to run the course but will not complete an official marathon. It is requested any runners rerouted at the Gauntlet not accept a finisher medal.
Beat the Bridge: Runners must maintain the 14 minute per mile pace to reach the 14th Street Bridge and successfully "Beat the Bridge" just after mile marker 20. The 14th Street Bridge will reopen to vehicular traffic making it unavailable to runners after 1:15 p.m. Any runners unable to "Beat the Bridge" will be required to board the straggler buses and be driven to the event finish area.
START LINE FESTIVITIES
 United States Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard will make its MCM debut and perform precision color guard movements on palomino wild mustangs at the start of the MCM. This extraordinary unit is well known for its high-standard training techniques that give riders a unique challenge to become a better horseman and stronger leader of Marines. This extraordinary military unit is the only remaining mounted color guard in the Marine Corps today and has been stationed aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow, California since 1967.
PACE TEAMS
 Trying to reach a time goal? Run with the ClifBar Pace Team. Sign up at the Expo for pace groups with the following expected finish times: 3:10, 3:20, 3:30, 3:40, 3:50, 4:00, 4:15, 4:30, 5:00, 5:30.
EXPERIENCE THE BROOKS VIP PORTA POTTY
The Brooks VIP Porta Potty is a special way to thank runners for choosing Brooks, as well as offer a reward for all the hard work put into training for the Marine Corps Marathon.
To get the marathon off to the best possible start, Brooks will have comfortable, climate-controlled restroom trailers set up at the starting line. Running water, flushing toilets and Brooks Run Happy surprises await.
To access this pre-race luxury, you'll need to snag a Brooks VIP Porta Potty pass!
Visit the Marine Corps Marathon Health and Fitness Expo by GE on October 29th and 30th and purchase $150 in official Marine Corps Marathon merchandise and/or Brooks apparel and footwear. Either way, you'll receive a sticker for your race bib. The sticker is your race-day pass to Brooks' VIP Porta Potty.
BAGGAGE
 Please use the clear plastic bag provided at Packet Pick-up. UPS baggage trucks will be located in Runners Village at Pentagon North parking lot. Be sure to affix the sticker, received in your runner packet, to your clear plastic bag for easy retrieval. Don't forget the number of the UPS truck where you deposited your bag.
After the marathon, MCM runners may pick up their bag in the Finish Festival on Wilson Blvd. Please do not deposit valuable items. Neither the Marine Corps Marathon nor UPS is liable for lost items.
PRE RACE PRAYER SERVICE
All participants are invited to attend prayer services, held in Runners Village at 6:00 a.m. and 6:45 a.m.
USO MOBILE CANTEEN
Military participants & families may visit the USO Mobile Canteen for complimentary beverages, light snacks, and fun USO giveaways in Runners Village. The USO's "Center on Wheels" complete with flat-screen televisions, XBox 360 gaming stations, and more! A video camera will also be available on board the Mobile to tape messages to friends or family members who are currently deployed, and the USO will send those messages for free.
HEADPHONES AND IPODS
The MCM follows USA Track and Field rules regarding the use of headphones and other equipment on the MCM course. Rule 144, Section 3B has recently been amended and now states: The following shall be considered assistance and therefore not allowed: (f) The visible possession or use by athletes of video, audio, or communications devices in the competition area. The Games Committee for an LDR (long distance running) event may allow the use of portable listening devices not capable of receiving communication; however, those competing in Championships for awards, medals, or prize money may not use such devices.
INFORMATION TENTS
  Visit the Main Info tent in the Finish Festival on the Route 50 overpass in Rosslyn, or the Runners Village Info tent in the Pentagon North parking lot for general information, specatator guides, medical info and more. American Red Cross will provide medical information at the finish line.
Volunteers working at the Finish Area site, please check in at Information prior to reporting time.
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