Alison Sweeney of "The Biggest Loser" to Start and Run Historic Half

Alison Sweeney, celebrated host of the NBC series "The Biggest Loser" and actress on "Days of Our Lives" will serve as honorary starter and participant at the Marine Corps Historic Half. Sweeney, who has served as host of "The Biggest Loser" for the past 10 seasons, will participate in Historic Half opening ceremonies beginning at 6:30 a.m. and then fire the starting pistol at 7:00 a.m., before joining the other participants. Also running the Historic Half is "Biggest Loser" contestant Lauren Lee, 27, of Poolesville, MD, who was a member of this season's cast.

Split Times on Facebook.  Track Runners through Social Media Messaging

For the first time at the Historic Half, after a successful debut of this technology at the 2011 MCM, runners can automatically have split times posted on their personal Facebook page and/or Twitter feed. Relatives, close friends, casual acquaintances, long-lost associates and high school classmates will all be able to follow a runner's progress along the Historic Half course in real time at every 5K. In addition to tracking runner's updates over social media, spectators can register to receive their split times via email or mobile phone using SMS text messaging. Results will be delivered instantaneously.  Share the link and register for this amazing service now.

Digital Version of Historic Half Event Program Kindles Excitement

The 2012 Historic Half event program features important transportation information, course maps, the weekend schedule plus runner features, archival photos and more. The interactive program is available online. The keepsake will also be distributed to runners at the Expo. Runners are encouraged to read the program in advance of event weekend. Articles and ads are linked to relevant websites for easy click-throughs to important online, event-related information.

 

Celebrating Five Years of the Historic Half  

Lots of special extras are in place to celebrate five years of the Marine Corps Historic Half. All registered runners receive a free membership to the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center. Runners received the official membership card by email last week. At Packet Pick-up, runners will be presented with a limited edition commemorative Historic Half map poster designed by artist Kevin Brown of Top Dog Studio. Other showcases include a flyover of vintage aircraft from "The Flying Circus" of Bealeton, VA, a finish line concert featuring Marine Mike Corrado and, for the first time at the Fredericksburg start line, the firing of a Marine Corps howitzer. Most exciting, however, will be the introduction of a new Historic Half mascot to share the fun of event weekend.

 

Getting Around Half Weekend
Free shuttle service will be offered from the Healthy Lifestyle Expo to downtown Fredericksburg throughout the day on Saturday, May 19. On race day, free shuttles to and from the start/finish area will be available for runners and spectators via the commuter lot located on US 17 North, toward Warrenton. The commuter lot is located just off I-95 at Exit 133. The race-day shuttle will operate from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There will be no parking at the Expo and Conference Center start/finish area. An additional race-day shuttle will be available to transport spectators from Central Park to downtown Fredericksburg on mile seven of the Marine Corps Historic Half course.

Registration Still Open for Half, Relay and Semper Fred 5K

Spread the word. Limited spots remain available to run or relay the Historic Half and the Semper Fred 5K. Spectator-crazy courses, pageantry, terrific shirts, cool medals, entertainment and Marines--Makes for a great Sunday morning. Get the couch potatoes and fence-sitters in your life to join the fun and aim to accomplish something great on Sunday, May 20.

 

 


Join VA Runner for Hospital Hill Training Run

Located just across the street from the start and finish of the Historic Half, VA Runner is your one stop shop for all your running needs.  VA Runner has been servicing the runners and walkers of the Fredericksburg community since 1999 with a staff well rehearsed in the areas of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics. We carry the highest quality and most technically advanced running and walking shoes, apparel and accessories.  We hold weekly Wednesday Hospital Hill Runs at 5:00 pm to help prepare you for the daunting task of tackling the centerpiece of the race. We're here to answer any questions concerning proper training, nutrition, injuries, and everything else running related. Bring in your bib number after the race and receive a free 13.1 sticker or magnet! Good luck to all competitors!

e-Confirmation Cards are First Step to Healthy Lifestyle Expo

All Historic Half and Semper Fred participants have been emailed the official e-Confirmation Card to facilitate Packet Pick-up check in at the Healthy Lifestyle Expo on May 18-19 at the Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Cneter. At Packet Pick-up, runners will receive their bib with timing device, competitor shirt, event program and commemorative map. The Expo showcases health, fitness, food, exercise and more, featuring vendors like Mary Washington Healthcare, Geico, Chevrolet, MarathonFoto, Humana and the Historic Half Store. The free, open-to-all Expo will be held Friday, May 18 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 19 from 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Awesome prizes will be awarded for those runners among the first in line at the Expo's opening ceremony on May 18 at 3:30 p.m where X-Factor and American Idol contestant Jordan Baird will perform the National Anthem.


Historic Half Training Apparel and Commemoratives
Visit the Historic Half online shop to purchase exclusive keepsake items.  The entire Historic Half clothing line will be on sale at the Healthy Lifestyle Expo.  MarathonFoto will capture images of runners along the historic course and at the finish. The amazing action shots will be available for purchase electronically or on various products after the event. Lasting Commemoratives, the premier supplier of race commemoratives, offers customizable finished items proudly displaying the runner's name, time and medal. Bring this newsletter to the Lasting Commemoratives booth at the Expo and receive $10 off any purchase up to $150 (before tax) or $20 off any purchase over $150 (before tax). Get free shipping too! The offer expires on event day and is only good at the expo and Finish Festival. Or use coupon code FreeShip to receive free shipping for online orders.