> YEARS RUN: 2011-2016 (6 consecutive years)

> RACE ACCOLADES:
- Commonly listed by major publications as top 10 bucket list marathons
- Top marathons for “first timers”
- 4th largest (USA) and 9th largest (world) with 30k participants
- Known as the People’s Marathon as it is an open run with no elite status and no prize money
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> THE EXPO

Held traditionally in the two days prior to the event, the Health and Fitness Expo is advertised to hold 200 booths, 300 military and civilian volunteers, and 100,000 guests.

First, some of unfortunate consequences of such a large expo. From 2011 to 2015, the expo was held at either the DC Armory of the Downtown Convention Center, both of which featured extremely long security lines to get in the venue, slowed by mandatory metal detectors, pat-downs, and bag searches. In 2016, the expo was moved to the Gaylord National Harbor hotel, where there were no security checkpoints to funnel through; however, the National Harbor is 30 minutes outside DC in Maryland and is not located on a Metro line, leading to transportation issues for out of town guests. The National Harbor traffic and parking was extremely backed up at times during the expo days, and parking was overly expensive at the expo itself. Additionally, the official Marine Corps Marathon store, operated by Brooks, was plagued in 2015 and 2016 with lines that stretched up to an hour for official merchandise. To Brooks and MCM’s credit, in 2016 they tried to alleviate some of the lines by offering limited merchandise in advance at local stores or online; unfortunately, many of the sought-after items were at the expo only. Additionally in 2016, MCM responded to expo complaints by offering bibs to be mailed to your home for a fee, and they teamed with local stores that offered local bib pick-up after a $100 Brooks purchase.

For the positives, the expo is extremely large and if you need anything at all, you’ll find it. Military groups and charities have interactive and educational displays. And basically every large company has a booth offering discounted running merchandise, including both local stores and national brands. Additionally, there is a large contingent of race booths advertising regional road races and global military races. Entertainment is abundant with speaker series (including RW’s Bart Yasso), the Marine Corps band, and the MCM mascots. Further, the pre-event days include an optional pasta dinner, a First Timer’s Pep Rally that includes some fun swag, and an MCM Runner’s Club (5-time+ Finishers) event as well.

The Saturday before the marathon, there is a 1-mile kids run for children ages 5-12 at the Pentagon.
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> THE SWAG

At the expo, all runners receive the annual Marine Corps Marathon patch, commemorative marathon magazine, and a mock turtleneck long-sleeved event shirt. The mock turtleneck, to imitate the Marines iconic uniform, was 100% cotton most years, but the last few years switched to a more technical (and quite warm) fabric. The Marine Corps mock turtleneck is a “love it or hate it” fashion style that really splits 50-50 among participants. After the race, runners receive a race medal presented by a Marine 2nd Lieutenant; since 2011, the medal has been modeled after the globe and anchor Marine Corps logo. Additionally, runners receive an MCM-branded finishers jacket (thin throwaway material with zipper), and a food box prepackaged with replenishment items from sponsors.
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> THE COURSE

Though the course has changed through the years due to ever-present DC construction, jurisdictional issues, or security, the past six years have started on route 100 on the Virginia side of the river, near Arlington National Cemetery. The first 2.5 miles feature the only substantial hills on the course and is a majority uphill, followed by a cruising downhill to mile 5. Runners go along the GW Parkway, a nice wooded section with a wide road surface, and then cross Key Bridge into Georgetown where the crowd support really picks up through M Street. Runners move along the Potomac and Rock Creek Parkway sections (shortened in 2016) with undulating miles of beautiful tree-lined scenery and passing under old stone bridges. Coming through miles 8-10, runners near the monuments and the crowd lines both sides of the street up to five deep. Runners pass the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and then head to Hains Point for miles 11-15; this section is along the water and can be both very quiet and very windy. Mile 12-13 is, in my opinion, the most emotional mile in road racing. This is the ‘wear blue’ mile and volunteers from that military charity group line both sides of the road with the pictures of fallen soldiers, stacked so cross together that it’s hard to imagine so many young have perished. After the pictures come hundreds of volunteers, many of whom are the mothers and family members of those pictured prior, all holding American flags on both sides of the road. After the solitude and winds of Hains Point, runners go along the National Mall where crowds pick up and also the sights of the Jefferson Memorial, MLK Jr National Memorial, FDR Memorial, and loop back with views of the Washington Monument, US Capitol, and the key Smithsonian buildings including the Smithsonian Castle. At mile 20 (mile 18 in 2016), runner turn to head over the bridge back into Virginia; this section is dubbed ‘Beat the Bridge’ because runners have to maintain a specific pace (usually 14:00/mile) to this section or risk getting pulled from the course. The bridge is about 1.5 miles including on- and off-ramp, and it is a difficult section due to concrete slab construction, sun exposure on hot days, winds down the river, and no spectators are allowed. Additionally, the bridge has elevation gain that while not substantial, feels harder than not at this point in the race and on concrete slab. Once back in Virginia, runners pass through twists and turns in Crystal City; this section has some slow turns and u-turns, and can be quiet at times, but the local government has improved in recent years with making some areas into a party atmosphere and advertised it as a Crystal City Fest on marathon morning. The final miles take runners past the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, and up the final hill to the Marine Corps War Memorial where runners are greeted by hundreds of Marines. Though the overall course is fairly flat and should be a good PR course, times are often hindered by on-your-honor corral line-ups and too many runners, and lots of sharp turns and u-turns. Additionally, the winds on Hains Point and the final bridge are known to knock down a lot of the top finishing times.
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> RACE DAY EXPERIENCE

The race day at the Marine Corps Marathon is a very unique experience. It suffers from some of the normal concerns of mega-marathons: long security lines (2015 was a particular zoo due to malfunctioning metal detectors), long bag check and claim procedures, 30k people trying to find spots and bathrooms, etc. But once you get close to race time, the logistics issues fall away. The first racers on course are wheelchair athletes, often wounded warriors, to inspire the runners to follow. Military parachute teams deliver a large US flag, two Marine Osprey aircraft thunder overhead, and the runners are started with a blast from a howitzer cannon. Once you escape early crowds of runners and can look around, the support for the marathon is strong. Aid stations every two miles are lined with active duty Marines, mile markers are manned with Marines, and military entertainment is everywhere. Crowds line the course 5+ people deep in many areas. Local bands and groups set up every few miles to entertain runners, including a great drum team before the final bridge. Aid stations are well stocked with water and Gatorade, various food options every 5 miles, and since it falls on Halloween weekend, there’s always a friendly stranger with candy. After the event, the Marines host a finish line festival with beer tent, bands, and entertainment.