Four Dates for Distinguished Status

In November 2018, more than 300 runners departed from Turkey Trot 10K with the very exclusive Distinguished Participant medal around their necks. The medal is earned for a year of remaining always faithful (Semper Fidelis) to running with the Marines.

Here are the four dates and various distances for runners to choose from to meet the necessary requirements to earn the 2019 Distinguished Participant Medal:

1-May 19 in Fredericksburg, VA. Runners will earn their first qualifying finish by completing the Historic Half, Semper 5ive or Devil Dog Double. Registration is open now for all three event distances–the half marathon, five miles or 18.1 miles, combining both event courses. Amazing finisher medals for all event finishers. The Devil Dog Double offers all three event medals. Registration is open now.

2-June 15 on Marine Corps Base Quantico. The June and August segments of this challenge offer the greatest variety in how a runner chooses his or her path to Distinguished status. To earn the second qualifying event, participants may run a 4.97 mile course through the woods in the Belleau Wood 8K; tackle the mud and wild obstacle event known as Run Amuck; ruck it through Quantico’s trails in the new Recon Ruck; or tame two events as part of the Crossroads Challenge. Challenge participants must first run or ruck and then Amuck. Belleau Wood 8K finishers earn a medal. Run Amuck finishers take home a challenge coin. Recon Ruck finishers earn a commemorative patch. Crossroads Challenge participants earn the finisher items for both events plus a special medal. Register now for any of these events.

3-August 24 on Marine Corps Base Quantico. Two very different events will be co-hosted at Quantico’s Officer Candidates School. The Quantico 12K is a 7.45 mile run that concludes adjacent to the OCS obstacle course. The Quantico Tri features a 750m swim in the Potomac, a 12+ bike ride and a 5K. Swim, bike, run or just run for the third DP qualifier. New this year is the Quantico Mile. Look for more details on this event soon. Registration opens April 17. Both events present finishers with special medals.

4-November 23 on Marine Corps Base Quantico. The year-long challenge concludes outside Quantico’s Lejeune Hall where the Turkey Trot 10K and Mile start and finish. The festive conclusion to the Distinguished challenge hosts the official presentation of the Distinguished Participant medals. Registration opens June 5.

Distinguished status is open to runners of all ages. Join the Marines on this journey of distinction. The Distinguished program is sponsored by VA Runner.

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.

VA Runner

Having been part of the Northern Virginia running community since 1999, VA Runner doesn’t just sell shoes, they develop relationships. VA Runner ensures that their staff is fully trained to provide guests with an experience designed to keep them comfortable and injury free. VA Runner is part of the Running Specialty Group, the parent company of a network of local running stores across the US, with the goal of inspiring, connecting, and serving runners everywhere.