New Timelines Introduced for MCM and MCM10K  
Runners take note-the MCM morning is beginning five minutes earlier this year. The howitzer blasts signifying the starts of the MCM and MCM10K will occur at 7:55 a.m. The wheelchair and hand cycles will begin the MCM at 7:40 a.m. The MCM course will remain open until 3:00 p.m., just more than seven hours after gun time. This is a slight change from previous years but it does not affect the required minimum pace which remains 14 minutes-per-mile. Runners must pass the MCM Gauntlet at mile 17.5 at the intersection of 14th Street and Madison Drive NW by 12:20 p.m. to remain official participants. Additionally, runners must reach the 14th Street Bridge and successfully "Beat the Bridge" just before mile marker 20 by 1:05 p.m. Any runners unable to "Beat the Bridge" will be required to board the straggler buses and be driven to the event finish area.

E-Cards Distributed This Week 

Runners will receive the official MCM e-card in their in-boxes this week. The digital confirmation includes the runner's bib number assignment and quick link to essential MCM Weekend information. Runners must print the e-card and bring to the Health & Fitness Expo presented by GE to obtain the official participant bib. It is encouraged that runners monitor their spam filters and junk email folders in case the email is diverted from the inbox. The e-card will be sent by an Active.com or usmc.mil email address.

Join the Party at the First Timers Pep Rally 

Long recognized as the best beginner marathon, the MCM will inaugurate over 12,000 new marathoners in 2012. First timers are invited to charge head first into MCM Weekend at the MCM First Timers Pep Rally on Friday, October 26 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Free appetizers will be provided. Cash bar will also be available. A $5 admission fee will be charged for runners and $10 fee for guests. The program will include experts, great music and giveaways including an exclusive commemorative first timers pin. Limited space remains so first timers are encouraged to secure a spot now.  

Healthy Kids Fun Run Nears Expanded Capacity 

The race field for the Healthy Kids Fun Run presented by The Washington Post has been expanded by 20 percent to accommodate the overwhelming interest from running families and area schools. Sign up kids ages 5-12 for the one-mile run held the day prior to the MCM, Saturday, October 27 in the Pentagon North parking lot. All young runners will participate in a Guinness World Record Breaking attempt, coordinated by National Geographic Kids. All young runners will help establish a new record for most individuals to run at least 100 meters within a 24-hour period, coinciding with the conclusion of the Kids Run.
Nissan Introduces Social Media Tracking Services
The MCM and Nissan offer new tools to meet the demands of social media doers and posters. Spectators and runners now can register for these tracking services.

For the supporter -- Track a Runner
Relatives, friends and running buddies can follow a runners progress at the 10K, 20K, 30K, 40K and finish-line split locations in real time. The virtual support crew can follow one or multiple runners by signing up to receive updates by text or email.

For the runner - Runner Broadcast Service
Runners may announce their progress every 10K of the marathon course by automatically
posting timing updates on their Facebook timeline or over their Twitter feed. By broadcasting split times, runners will be able to effectively inform every friend or follower of their triumphant trek through the nations capital. 

Packet Pick-up at DC Armory 

The MCM Health & Fitness Expo presented by GE held on Thursday, October 25 through Saturday, October 27 hosts Packet Pick-up at the DC Armory for MCM and MCM10K participants. Runners will receive the official bib with b-tag timing technology, "Salute," the official MCM program, MCM Weekend Guides, commemorative patches and UPS baggage stickers. Packet Pick-up will be conducted in a tent outside the Armory. Once checked in, runners will head inside the venue to visit more than 200 booths including body mass analyzing by GE, massages courtesy of Aetna, New-Skin sampling, Nissan's display featuring Olympian Shalane Flanagan, the MCM Brooks Store, Verizon Wireless, the new MCM Coffee Table Book and the DSW Shoe Donation Station. The MCM and DSW encourage all runners to bring gently used running shoes to be given to homeless service providers. DSW will provide a $5 gift card to those who donate shoes.

 

Meet MCM Locator, the Virtual Swiss Army Knife for the MCM Course Map

For spectators, volunteers and runners seeking directions to a specific on-course location, the MCM Locator is the required resource. The mobile friendly, web-based application can be accessed at www.mcmlocator.com. Select a specific point-of-interest on the MCM course including mile markers, food stations and water points to obtain detailed walking directions from an exact location to a site on the MCM course. Keep up with Metro's schedule including arrival times of the next train. The MCM Locator also calculates when runners will reach a specific mile marker based on a user-selected pace-per-mile. Tell everyone attending MCM Weekend to visit the MCM Locator now and bookmark it on a phone for use during the MCM.

Spectators Show Support
The where and when and how of being a spectacular MCM spectator is detailed in a special presentation for the cheering masses. Send the link to family, friends and supporters so they may prepare for MCM Day properly. And with the MCM approaching in a few weeks, spectators can show support for their runner by purchasing an Oorah! Support Crew T-shirt in the MCM Brooks Store at the Health & Fitness Expo.
Get Around Guide for MCM Weekend
Free MCM Day parking is available in Crystal City at the corner of 23rd and Crystal Drive. Runners parking in this location may take the pre-race shuttle from Crystal City to Runners Village in the Pentagon North parking lot beginning at 5:30 a.m. After the MCM, shuttles depart from the Finish Festival in Rosslyn returning runners to Crystal City. These shuttles load at the corner of Oak Street and Wilson Boulevard. Additionally, shuttles will run throughout the weekend from DC Armory to the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, the MCM headquarters hotel and location of several MCM Weekend events. Free parking is available at the Expo, located at the DC Armory.


MCM Guide to Metro
The Metro system will open at 5:00 a.m. on event morning. Marathon runners should use the Pentagon Station (blue or yellow line) to access the start line through Runners Village in the Pentagon North Parking lot. This location hosts pre-race UPS Baggage Drop off. The Arlington Cemetery (blue line) station will not open until 8:30 a.m., after the official MCM start. On event day, this station may only be used to access to finish area or to leave post- race. The MCM10K start is convenient to the Smithsonian Metro (blue/orange line). Runners are encouraged to purchase Metro cards in advance of event day. The Finish Festival is located at the Rosslyn station (blue/orange line) and the Crystal City family spectator festival at Mile 22-23 is at the Crystal City station (blue/yellow line).

New-Skin Introduced to MCM Participants
Running takes time, dedication and tenacity - the ability to overcome both emotional and physical adversity. We, as runners, have experienced cuts, scrapes, and blisters especially as we've trained for grueling, 26.2 mile marathons. It's a choice we've made. We don't let the small things keep us from being active. New-Skin® spray liquid bandage protects those hard to reach areas, letting your skin breathe while protecting those affected areas on your body. If you experience rubbing and chafing from friction, try New-Skin™ Anti-Chafing spray, providing over 4 hours of protection to both prevent and soothe those irritated spots. Meet the New-Skin team at the Health & Fitness Expo and in Runners Village on MCM Day.

MCM News Sprint
Runners can get a complimentary print from Lasting Commemorative by the MCM's licensed partner online and signing up for a voucher, redeemable at the Health & Fitness Expo by GE. Offer subject to terms and conditions...A very few seats remain for the MCM Carbo Dining In on Saturday, October 27 at 6:00 p.m. The evening features entertainment and guest speaker from Runners World Amby Burfoot...Maximize time in Arlington and the nation's capital by visiting the Arlington, VA website...Check out the new interactive version of the MCM Course Map. The map features clickable options to detail the various on-course services including water points, aid stations, food locations, transportation and mile markers.