Introducing the new Runners bRUNch! Get a Spot Now!
Hosted the morning prior to the Historic Half, the new Runners bRUNch features a light 5K shakeout run from VA Runner in Central Park to the Healthy Lifestyle Expo. Limited to just 200 participants, the Runners bRUNch includes a delicious catered brunch and guest speaker, Chuck Engle, known as the "Marathon Junkie," for having completed more than 300 marathons. Registration is open to all runners 10 and above (not just registered Historic Half Weekend runners) and begins at noon EST on Wednesday, March 6. The $25 fee includes the brunch and a limited-edition bib.
VA Runner Helps Prepare for Hospital Hill
Now that the Marine Corps Historic Half, new Marine Corps Historic 10K and Semper Fred 5K all include the challenging 200-foot incline of Mary Washington Healthcare's Hospital Hill, the Historic Half and VA Runner are offering runners a training opportunity to overcome the steep challenge on event day. Join the Hospital Hill training program to work on endurance, stride, injury prevention and developing the right mindset. The Hospital Hill Training program is free and offered at VA Runner store locations in Fredericksburg VA's Central Park and at the Clifton, VA store. The programs are open to all runners and will begin at 5:00 p.m. on March 6 and 20 and May 1. The VA Runner staff will begin each training program with warm-up sessions at the stores and then follow with short distance runs to include Hospital Hill, for the Fredericksburg participants, while those participating at the Clifton store run a similar course elevation and distance.

Historic Half Start Crosses the Street
Veterans of the Historic Half will notice a change in location when lining up at the start. The impressive stars and stripes adorned structure that serves as the gateway to the 13.1 course will now span the entirety of Carl D Silver Parkway with the finish remaining adjacent to Wegman's and the start moving across the median to the other side of the road. This adjustment that affects the first mile is the only change to the Half route and was made to accommodate the new Semper Fred 5K course.

There's a Distance for That
The Historic Half welcomes runners with varied distance goals with the popular Semper Fred 5K and the introduction of the new Historic 10K. Like the Historic Half, the 10K and 5K courses will tackle Hospital Hill. All three events will begin at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 19 at separate start locations, but will share the same finish at the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center. The Historic 10K will cover roughly the same route as the final six miles of the Historic Half. The Semper Fred becomes a point-to-point event for the first time. Both events offer finishers medals and themed competitor shirts.
Download e-Confirmation Cards in May
e-Confirmation cards will be emailed to all Historic Half Weekend registered participants in early May. The card should be printed out and brought to Packet Pick-up, at the Healthy Lifestyle Expo on May 17-18 at the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center. The new e-card also includes a waiver for individuals to authorize a buddy pick-up. The digital, cellphone-based version of the e-card is acceptable to present at Packet Pick-up.
 

Healthy Lifestyle Expo to Host Speaker Series 

The Historic Half invites runners to the idea exchange known as the Speaker Series for inspiration and information. Held at the Healthy Lifestyle Expo at the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18, the Speaker Series features MCM Race Director Rick Nealis, Marathon Junkie Chuck Engle and historian Jay Foonberg, who will focus on the Marine Corps part of the weekend, by addressing the heroism of the U.S. Marines at Iwo Jima. Other highlights include Zumba demonstrations and a VA Runner pre-race prep and pep talk. Schedule of speakers will be available on the Historic Half webpage closer to event weekend. 
MCM Introduces Quantico Tri
The MCM moves beyond exclusively hosting running events by introducing the inaugural Quantico Triathlon, a sprint distance race, on Sunday, August 18 aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico. Hosted adjacent to The Clubs at Quantico aboard the Marine Corps Base, the Quantico Tri is sure to bring fast times and fun to all who participate. Located in the heart of the base, this event features a 400 meter snake outdoor pool swim followed by a swift 9-mile ride circling Lejeune Hall, the leadership center of the Marine Corps Base. Once athletes are finished with the bike portion, they will run a scenic 5K course that loops through the air facility, a section of the base otherwise not accessible. Registration opens May 15 and is limited to just 300 athletes.

Take a Runcation to Fredericksburg
There are over 600 half marathons hosted all over the country. The distance is exactly equal no matter where runners elect to runner. With the Marine Corps hosting the event, there's no question the organization will be exceptional. The deciding factor must then be the scenery, the shopping, the restaurants, the experience. Don't just run through Fredericksburg; make a runcation out of it and book a hotel. Stay overnight to avoid the event morning unpredictability of I95 traffic and experience the hospitality of a charming downtown that blends fascinating American heritage with upbeat contemporary shopping, dining and entertainment.