4.97 Facts about the Belleau Wood 8K

In 2017, the MCM Organization honored the 100th anniversary of the Marines at Quantico by hosting the Quantico 100, a one time only, 100-minute cumulative running event.

In 2018, the Marine Corps will commemorate a battle that occurred a century ago in a wooded area outside Paris. Accordingly, the MCM will unveil a new running event.

Here are 4.97 facts runners need to know about the new Belleau Wood 8K.

1- Origin of nickname “Devil Dogs.” In a wooded area outside Paris known as Belleau Wood, a three-week battle with the Germans in June 1918 would prove to be a defining moment for the U.S. Marine Corps. It was here during WWI that the Marines earned the nickname “Teufel Hunden” or “Devil Dogs.”

2- Return to the woods. Runners will attack the course featuring the trails and hills of Quantico before emerging with the same fire and determination as the Marines did a century ago at Belleau Wood. All finishers earn a commemorative challenge coin.

3- Registration opens on February 28. Runners may register for this special event for $45. Those runners between ages of 7-17 can enjoy a 40 percent discount as part of the Next Generation Inspiration Initiative. The field is limited to 800 participants. The Belleau Wood 8K is a qualifier for the Distinguished Participant medal.

4- Hosted on same day as Run Amuck. The Belleau Wood 8K will start at 6:45 a.m. near Butler Stadium on Marine Corps Base Quantico. Following the 8K start, Run Amuck, the three mile, mud and obstacle challenge run, launches at 7:00 a.m. and continues with waves of runners every 20 minutes through 9:20 a.m. It is possible for 8K runners to participate in both events by signing up for one of the later Run Amuck waves.

and .97- How far is an 8K? The 8K distance is the equivalent of 4.97 miles.

Thanks for visiting this archived blog. The content and details are specific only for the event year highlighted in this article. For current information, please visit the event page within the MCM website.