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MCM and the Government Shutdown
The MCM is busy planning the multitude of details necessary for successful execution of the event operations plan. The organizers remain focused on firing the howitzer at 0755 on27 October and launching 30,000 runners across the nation's capital and Arlington, VA. The government shutdown, however, certainly adds a new element to what is already a hectic period in the planning cycle. Since the shutdown occurred, the MCM staff has been in communication with those partners that are affected and is working to develop a comprehensive understanding of potential challenges to hosting the event. For the participants, the shutdown may raise questions and doubts if months of training will still result in the receipt of a medal at the Marine Corps War Memorial. Marines are known for being Semper Fidelis, always faithful. In this spirit, the expectation is that runners will remain faithful to their training and the MCM will continue to plan diligently for an amazing MCM Weekend.  |
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E-Cards Distributed This Week  All runners will receive the official MCM E-card by email this week. The digital ticket includes the runner's bib number assignment. Runners may show the E-card on their phones or print and bring the E-card 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. Proxy pick-up is available for runners unable to claim their own bibs. This procedure is detailed on the E-Card and the Expo page of the MCM website.
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Safety Procedures
 The MCM's comprehensive security plan is constructed with input from, and the expertise of, multiple law enforcement agencies on the federal, state and local levels. As in previous years, all runners and spectators will be required to access the start and finish areas through safety check points. Limiting the number of items brought to the start line will greatly reduce the wait time at this inspection point. Runners are required to use the clear plastic drawstring bag issued at Packet Pick-up for the event-day bag check. Using the clear plastic participant bag will expedite the screening process and help maintain an efficient flow of participants into Runners Village. Backpacks, suitcases or any other type of bag will not be accepted at UPS Drop-off and may not be left unattended. Therefore, if a runner doesn't have a designated support person to maintain possession of this type of baggage or other possessions, these items should not be brought to the event site.
For marathoners, 10K participants and spectators, the following items are prohibited from
entering any MCM event location: hydration vests and backpacks like CamelBaks; glass
containers; masks; and flammable liquids. Runners may continue to bring a personal supply of fluids. All items are subject to search and add to the volume being screened, possibly resulting in delays and personal inconvenience. The MCM and its law enforcement partners appreciate the cooperation and patience of runners and spectators.
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Social Media Runner Tracking Services  The MCM and Nissan offer amazing tools to meet track runners during the marathon and 10K. Spectators and runners now can register for these tracking services. Relatives, friends and running buddies can follow a runner's progress from the 10K, 20K, 30K, 40K and finish-line split locations in real time. Only finish time data will be pushed out for MCM10K participants. The virtual support crew can follow one or multiple runners by signing up to receive updates by text or email.
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 nation's capital.
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MCM Event Program Now Available in Digital Format
 Why wait until MCM Weekend to read Salute, the official MCM event program. Scroll through the digital, interactive version of the program now to learn about the event schedule, transportation, spectator tips, course maps, technology and more. Each story includes quick links to online resources with additional details.
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MCM and MCM10K Timelines
 The howitzer blasts to signify the starts of the MCM and MCM10K 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. Marathoners must pass the MCM Gauntlet at mile 17.5 at the intersection of 14th Street and Madison Drive NW by 12:30 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.
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Join the Party at the First Timers Pep Rally
 Excited? Motivated? Trained? Nervous? First timers unite! Long recognized as the best beginner marathon, the MCM will inaugurate over 10,000 new marathoners. First timers are invited to grab a ticket to the MCM First Timers Pep Rally on Friday, October 25 from 7:00- 9:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Free appetizers will be provided. A very small admission fee will be charged for runners and guests. Running experts, great music and giveaways plus the exclusive commemorative first timers pin. Limited space remains.
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Packet Pick-up at the DC Armory
 The MCM Health & Fitness Expo presented by GE held on Thursday, October 24 through Saturday, October 26 hosts Packet Pick-up at the DC Armory for MCM, MCM10K and Kids Run participants. Runners will receive the official bib with timing technology, the event program, commemorative patch and UPS baggage sticker in the Packet Pick-up tent, located outside the Armory. The Packet Pick-up tent is accessible only to runners. Safety screening points will be set up outside the Packet Pick-up tent as well as the main entrance to the Armory that is open to all. Inside the venue, after collecting the official shirt and clear plastic bag, runners may visit more than 200 booths including body mass analyzing by GE, massages courtesy of Aetna, watermelon sampling, USAA's inspiration wall and the MCM Brooks Store. |
Transportation
 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. On MCM Day, free parking is available in Crystal City at the corner of 23rd Street and Crystal Drive. Marathoners 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. There is no designated parking or shuttle service for the MCM10K.
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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 after the event. The MCM10K start is convenient to the Smithsonian Metro (blue/orange line). The Finish Festival is located at the Rosslyn station (blue/orange line) and the Crystal City family festival at Mile 23 is at the Crystal City station (blue/yellow line).
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The Marine Corps Marathon Like You've Never Seen it Before!
 Navy Federal Credit Union celebrates your picture perfect finish with an interactive digital art experience like nothing you've seen before. Every step across the finish line adds another stroke to the Navy Federal Credit Union Stride Art canvas. The picture will grow and change until the final runner finishes. You can view, interact with and share the completed Stride Art at the race and online. Then, after the run, be a part of the fun! Learn more at www.NavyFederalStrideArt.com
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City Sports Training Runs
 Every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. leading up to the marathon, runners can meet at City Sports Georgetown for a long training run. Weekly distances will increase weekly, reaching as many as 20 miles, in preparation for the MCM. All paces and abilities welcome! Food and water stops provided, as well as a safe place to store belongings. Win great prizes, get helpful advice and enjoy the camaraderie of training for the MCM with City Sports and Brooks.
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MCM News Sprint
 Do you intend to run the MCM or MCM10K with a cell phone? Please take a moment to answer these quick questions. ...Runners can get a complimentary signed art card featuring the spectacular 2013 MCM artwork designed by Lasting Commemoratives, MCM licensed partner. Take advantage of this offer and get $20 off any shadowbox purchase and free shipping...Download the Dunkin' Mobile App now for easy payments, DD card gifting, exclusive mobile offer, a Dunkin' store locator, menu and more!... Get the App that Keeps You Running!... As the MCM Carbo Dining In has sold out, Rosslyn, the heart of the Marine Corps Marathon on race day, has partnered with some of the best local restaurants to offer MCM runners a "Pasta Night" special during race weekend...Finish line hospitality will be provided in handy FitFul boxes including granola bars, graham crackers, bread sticks, almond pops, peanut butter, soy nuts, Dole Fruit Bowls and seedless raisins. Bottled water from I Employ Veterans, Gatorade and Turbana bananas also will be available, as will the exclusively designed recovery jacket... Make Arlington your starting line for fun this year! Along the course take in national treasures like the Marine Corps War Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. During MCM Weekend, experience history, culture and fun in Arlington, along with world-class dining, shopping and nightlife around every corner...Whether running or supporting, everyone is encouraged to tweet throughout MCM Weekend and follow the event year round @Marine_Marathon. Be sure to use #38THMCM..Taking videos? Shooting pictures? Journaling the experience? Runners are encouraged to share their take on the MCM by posting videos or photos, thought or reflections on the MCM Facebook timeline....Big reveal coming up in the next newsletter #MCMhype.
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