My ninth marathon but first at the Marine Corp. I have run Boston, Chicago and London. While the Marine Corp Marathon does not have the same prestige as those marathons, it does have everything else you’d look for in a “big” race, and I would highly recommend it.

Pros: with exception of a few early modest hills and a hill literally in the last 0.2 (leading up to the Iwo Jima monument of course!), the course is basically pancake flat and I was able to PR and BQ (helped by the great weather day)...very scenic course (monuments, etc), running down National Mall (see attached photo) and some nice sightseeing opportunities before/after the race...very well organized race (aid stations, finish area, pre-race communication)....and a nice, spacious expo....awesome finishers medal...and the incredible Marines volunteering. Thanking the Marines for their service never got old (and they politely said “thank you, sir” every time)! Running the “Blue Mile” (lined mile with photos of fallen marines) was very moving especially as you read the ages of the fallen...an emotional reminder that freedom does not come for free.

Cons: Really only three, and in hindsight they were not very serious. (1) It was a bit of trek to get to the expo...requiring subway and shuttle bus...but it was smooth and painless. (2) The race shirt was ugly/overwhelming graphics, that I swore I would never wear...but I already used it a couple times and it is growing on me (albeit, slowly!). (3) This was the first year that they had corrals, but they were not very well disciplined. Once entered, people seem to move freely between them. Given the past complaints of runners getting stuck behind walkers and joggers at MCM, I got there early and was able to wander into the first corral. There were a lot of people (30,000 runners) but I did not feel that my pace was too constrained after the first half mile or so. This was good first attempt by MCM at corrals; hopefully next year will be even better.

I enjoy the atmosphere at large marathons, and I would definitely recommend MCM to others who feel the same way. Oohrah, MCM....well done!

PS: Runners tip —> Most people take the subway to start. But subway starts at 6am at the end point of the line; but by the time it gets to the drop off point it is going to be in 6:30-6:45 at best...then long walk thru security to the runners village...with 7:55 race start. Some runners had to rush to the starting area and ended up at the back of the line in the crush of 30,000 runners. My tip is take an Uber/Lyft and get dropped off at Pentagon parking lot. I got dropped off at 6am with Lyft, and it was smooth sailing thru security to the runners village and then to the start line...and zero stress.