April 17, 2018 (Quantico, VA)- United States Marine Corps Colonel James Fowler will be forever known as the Marine Corps Marathon’s founding father. In 1975, Fowler wrote a memo to his superior, Gen. Michael Ryan, outlining his plan for a Marine Corps Reserve Marathon, to promote community goodwill, showcase the Marine Corps, serve as a recruiting tool and to give local Marines an opportunity to qualify for Boston’s marathon.
Colonel Fowler witnessed the tremendous growth of the MCM before passing away in 2015. That same year, the MCM building aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico was named in his honor.
After 66 years, Fowler’s Mameluke Sword returned to Marine Corps Base Quantico. Fowler received this distinctive sword as a second lieutenant in 1952 at The Basic School at Quantico. His wife, Betsy Fowler, wanted the Marine Corps Marathon Organization to host his sword in the building bearing his name, Fowler Hall. She presented the sword to Colonel Joseph Murray, Commander, Marine Corps Installations National Capital Region – Marine Corps Base Quantico, Colonel Bob Boucher, Chief of Staff for MCINCR-MCBQ, and MCM Director Rick Nealis.
The sword served alongside Fowler during his twenty years of Marine Corps service and through the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Fowler was a decorated Marine with a Bronze Star Medal, two Purple Heart Medals and the Joint Service Commendation Medal.
The Mameluke Sword is the official sword for Marine Officers. The presentation of this sword to new officers is a time-honored tradition.
Fowler’s sword will be on display in the lobby of Fowler Hall along with other artifacts, awards and collectables that follow Fowler and the event he founded more than four decades ago.
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.
Related Articles
The Role of Running in the Attention Economy of an IT Driven World
Author: Alex Hetherington, MCMO Race Director In a fast-paced world increasingly dominated by information technology, where emails, notifications, and constant updates vie for our attention, running offers a unique antidote. The IT platform and social media attention economy thrives on capturing and redirecting focus, often at the expense of our mental and physical well-being. Running, […]
New Year’s Running Resolution: Focus on Experience and Consistency
Author: Alex Hetherington, MCMO Race Director As the New Year begins, many runners set ambitious goals: hitting personal bests, increasing mileage, or chasing new achievements. While these objectives can be motivating, this year, consider a different approach—focusing more on the experience and consistency of running, and less on the comparables and data points. By doing […]
The Gift You Give to Yourself – Running Your Way to Emotional Stability and Resilience This Holiday Season
Author: Alex Hetherington, MCMO Race Director The holiday season is often painted as a time of joy and connection, but for many, it also brings a unique mix of stressors: tight schedules, social obligations, financial pressures, and even the occasional family conflict. If you’re looking for a simple yet powerful way to maintain emotional stability […]